NASA
Selects Delta 2 to Launch Swift Gamma Ray Burst Explorer
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NASA has selected
Boeing’s Delta 2 to launch the Swift Gamma Ray Burst Explorer in
September 2003 from Cape Canaveral. NASA's total launch services
budget for the Swift campaign is approximately US$50 million
dollars. The launch order for Boeing comes as part of the NASA
Launch Services  contract
that also includes Lockheed Martin Atlas and Athena rockets. The
Delta 2 7320-10 will launch Swift into a 600 km (324 nmi) high
low-inclination orbit optimal for gamma ray missions. The satellite
is planned to have a three year mission.
 The
Spectrum Astro-built spacecraft will investigate the origin of gamma
ray bursts. Plans call for the main burst alert telescope to detect
a gamma ray burst and then determine its relative position. The
spacecraft would then re-orient itself directly at the burst for its
more sensitive instruments to analyze the lasting remnants of these
bursts, called afterglow. Swift will use its multi-wavelength
capability to study the afterglow as it moves from the gamma ray to
the radio wavelength. The spacecraft will be able to move up to 50
degrees in less than 50 seconds. After maneuvering, the probe should
arrive at a position more accurately than almost any other satellite
attempting such a quick attitude change. This "swift’"
re-orientation is Swift's namesake. The mission will also attempt to
identify different types and classes of gamma ray bursts by
detecting more bursts, fainter, bursts, and farther bursts than ever
before.
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