| > what missions would be more important 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. |