SWAS: Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite
SWAS: Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite
SWAS is a Small Explorer (SMEX) satellite that is due to launch in December 98. SWAS is a joint venture between Harvard-Smithsonian Astronomical Observatory (SAO), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and Ball Aerospace. The launch will be from a Pegasus rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The SWAS mission goal is to investigate the composition of dense interstellar clouds in order to better understand how these clouds cool to form stars and planets.
This site contains photographs documenting some of the testing and pre-launch activities.
For more information about the SWAS project please visit the following web sites:
The SWAS homepage
The NASA-Goddard SWAS homepage
Volker Tolls' Pre-launch activities page. (updated daily during these final months of launch preparation)
If you had your photo taken next to the Pegasus this is where it is.
Click here for photos from testing at Vandenberg.
Click here for some not very good photos of the Delta launch we saw.
Here are some photos taken recently during testing at Goddard in Oct. 98:
