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by jberryman
5502 days ago
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An experiment spanning decades and involving the creation of the most perfect spheres created by man can rightly be called epic. Not sure why you're so down on this. Also I'd be interested in sources, as well as genuinely curious what missions would be more important. |
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Here is the stack rank of operating missions as of 2008 (when NASA needed to shut down some missions to save money):
1. Swift, 2004
2. Chandra, 1999
3. Galex (Galaxy Evolution Explorer, ultraviolet), 2003
4. Suzaku (X-ray), 2005
5. Spitzer, 2003
6. WMAP (Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe), 2001
7. XMM-Newton (X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission), 1999
8. Integral (INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory), 2002
9. Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer, 1995
10. Gravity Probe B, 2004
source: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13938?DCMP=ILC-hmts...
I also found this read (http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/121390204.html) very interesting.