# A Broadband Imaging X-ray All-sky Survey

> former space-based German X-ray telescope

**Wikidata**: [Q14918](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14918)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABRIXAS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/a-broadband-imaging-x-ray-all-sky-survey

## Summary
A Broadband Imaging X-ray All-sky Survey (ABRIXAS) was a space-based German X-ray telescope operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Launched on April 28, 1999, the satellite was designed to observe distant space objects but suffered a critical battery failure shortly after entering orbit. The inactive spacecraft remained in low Earth orbit until it decayed and re-entered the atmosphere on October 31, 2017.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Space telescope / former entity.
- **Operator:** German Aerospace Center.
- **Manufacturer:** OHB System AG.
- **Launch Date:** April 28, 1999 (20:30:00 UTC).
- **Launch Vehicle:** Kosmos-3M (Rocket).
- **Launch Site:** Kapustin Yar.
- **Mission Status:** Failed due to battery loss on May 1, 1999; atmospheric entry on October 31, 2017.
- **Launch Mass:** 470 kilograms.
- **Payload Mass:** 160 kilograms.
- **Dimensions:** 1.8 meters (width) x 2.5 meters (height) x 1.15 meters (length).
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 1999-022A; SCN 25721.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the ABRIXAS mission?
A: ABRIXAS (A Broadband Imaging X-ray All-sky Survey) was a German space telescope intended for observing distant space objects via X-ray imaging.

### Q: Why did the ABRIXAS mission fail?
A: The mission ended shortly after launch due to a technical failure involving the satellite's battery, which occurred on May 1, 1999, just days after it entered orbit.

### Q: How long did ABRIXAS remain in orbit?
A: Although the mission ended in 1999, the physical satellite remained in low Earth orbit until it re-entered the atmosphere on October 31, 2017.

## Why It Matters
ABRIXAS represents a notable chapter in German aerospace history, illustrating the high risks associated with space-based astronomy. Developed by OHB System AG and operated by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the satellite was an ambitious attempt to conduct a broadband X-ray all-sky survey. While the scientific mission was cut short by a battery failure just three days after launch, the event highlights the critical importance of reliable power systems in space hardware. The 470 kg spacecraft served as a long-term piece of space debris for nearly two decades before its natural orbital decay in 2017, serving as a case study in both satellite failure modes and the lifecycle of low Earth orbit objects.

## Notable For
- Being a dedicated German X-ray space telescope mission.
- Suffering a critical mission-ending failure (battery) within days of launch.
- Having a significant gap between mission failure (1999) and atmospheric decay (2017).
- Being manufactured by OHB System AG, a prominent German space technology company.
- Launching on a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Kapustin Yar site.

## Body
### Development and Specifications
A Broadband Imaging X-ray All-sky Survey (often abbreviated as ABRIXAS) was a space telescope developed in Germany. The project was overseen by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), a research center for aerospace and security headquartered in Cologne. The satellite was manufactured by OHB System AG.

Physically, the satellite had a launch mass of 470 kilograms, with a specific payload mass of 160 kilograms. Its structural dimensions were recorded as 1.8 meters in width, 2.5 meters in height, and 1.15 meters in length. It was powered by a spacecraft solar array.

### Launch and Mission Timeline
The satellite was launched on April 28, 1999, at 20:30:00 UTC. The launch vehicle used was a Kosmos-3M rocket (specific flight 65036-413), lifting off from the Kapustin Yar site. The satellite was successfully placed into low Earth orbit and assigned the COSPAR ID 1999-022A.

Shortly after deployment, the mission encountered a catastrophic failure. On May 1, 1999, the satellite experienced a battery failure, rendering the telescope inoperable and ending its scientific mission prematurely.

### Orbital Decay
Following the failure, the spacecraft remained in low Earth orbit as a defunct object. It continued to orbit the Earth for nearly two decades. The object's orbit eventually decayed, resulting in atmospheric entry on October 31, 2017.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/abrixas.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=25721)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://www.dlr.de/rb/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-12671/4262_read-6333/)
6. [Source](http://wave.xray.mpe.mpg.de/abrixas/mission/tech/data/en.html)