Explorer Missions
Over the years, NASA has launched a series of "Explorer" spacecraft carrying a wide variety of scientific investigations. It is not only the longest running series of spacecraft, but has produced highly-durable (i.e., well-engineered) spacecraft as well.
+ All Missions (NSSDC List)
Explorers Operational Missions
ACE | IMP-8 | XTE (RXTE)
Medium-class Explorers (MIDEX)
Investigations characterized by definition, development, launch service, and mission operations and data analysis costs not to exceed $180 million total cost to NASA.
MIDEX Current Missions
WISE
MIDEX Operational Missions
THEMIS | Swift | MAP | FUSE | IMAGE
Small Explorers (SMEX)
Investigations characterized by definition, development, launch service, and mission operations and data analysis costs not to exceed $120 million total cost to NASA.
SMEX Current Missions
IRIS | GEMS | NuSTAR
SMEX Operational Missions
AIM | FAST | SAMPEX | SWAS | TRACE | HESSI | GALEX | IBEX
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University-class Explorers (UNEX) / STEDI
Investigations characterized by definition, development, launch service, and mission operations and data analysis costs not to exceed $15.0M (real year dollars) total cost to NASA. UNEX missions will be launched by a variety of low cost methods
UNEX/STEDI Operational Missions
SNOE | CHIPS
Missions of Opportunity (MO)
Investigations characterized by being part of a non-NASA space mission of any size and having a total NASA cost of under $35 million. These missions are conducted on a no-exchange-of-funds basis with the organization sponsoring the mission. NASA intends to solicit proposals for Missions of Opportunity with each Announcement of Opportunity (AO) issued for UNEX, SMEX, and MIDEX investigations.
MO Operational Missions
TWINS | CINDI | HETE-2 | Astro-E2
Internationals
Current Missions
SXG | Integral
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