# Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer

> NASA satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q48611](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48611)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHIPS_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmic-hot-interstellar-plasma-spectrometer

## Summary
The **Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer (CHIPS)** is a NASA space telescope launched in 2003 to study hot interstellar plasma in the Milky Way. It was part of the Explorer program and operated as a small satellite (CHIPSat) to observe extreme ultraviolet emissions from diffuse cosmic gas.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: January 13, 2003, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II rocket.
- **Aliases**: CHIPS, CHIPSat, Explorer 82, UNEX-2.
- **Mission Type**: Space telescope (NASA satellite).
- **COSPAR ID**: 2003-002B.
- **Website**: [chips.ssl.berkeley.edu](http://chips.ssl.berkeley.edu).
- **Predecessor/Successor**: Related to the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) and Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI).

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer?
A: CHIPS was designed to study hot interstellar plasma in the Milky Way by observing extreme ultraviolet emissions from diffuse cosmic gas.

### Q: When was CHIPS launched?
A: It was launched on January 13, 2003, aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.

### Q: What are the alternative names for CHIPS?
A: It is also known as CHIPSat, Explorer 82, and UNEX-2.

### Q: What type of satellite is CHIPS?
A: CHIPS is classified as a space telescope and was part of NASA’s Explorer program.

### Q: Is CHIPS still operational?
A: The provided data does not specify its operational status, but it was launched in 2003 and related to missions like RHESSI, which reentered in 2023.

## Why It Matters
The Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the interstellar medium, particularly the hot, diffuse plasma that permeates the Milky Way. By observing extreme ultraviolet emissions, CHIPS provided data on the temperature, density, and composition of this plasma, which is essential for studying galactic evolution and the life cycles of stars. Its findings contribute to broader astrophysical research, helping scientists model the dynamics of galaxies and the interactions between stellar winds and interstellar gas. As part of NASA’s Explorer program, CHIPS also demonstrated the effectiveness of small, cost-efficient satellites in conducting high-impact space science.

## Notable For
- **First dedicated mission** to study hot interstellar plasma via extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy.
- **Small satellite design** (CHIPSat), showcasing efficient space science with limited resources.
- **Part of NASA’s Explorer program**, a series of low-cost, highly focused scientific missions.
- **Unique observations** of diffuse cosmic gas, complementing data from other space telescopes like GALEX.
- **Launch on a Delta II rocket**, a reliable workhorse for NASA missions during its operational period.

## Body
### Mission Overview
The **Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer (CHIPS)** was a NASA satellite designed to investigate the properties of hot interstellar plasma in the Milky Way. Its primary instrument was a spectrometer optimized for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths, targeting emissions from million-degree gas in the interstellar medium.

### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Date**: January 13, 2003.
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II rocket (a retired expendable launch system).
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit, though specific altitude and inclination are not provided in the source material.

### Instrumentation and Data
- **Primary Instrument**: Spectrometer for EUV observations.
- **Target Phenomena**: Hot interstellar plasma, particularly emissions from highly ionized atoms like O VI and C IV.
- **Data Contributions**: Provided insights into the distribution and physical conditions of diffuse hot gas in the galaxy.

### Programmatic Context
- **NASA Explorer Program**: CHIPS was part of this program, which focuses on small to mid-sized missions with specific scientific goals.
- **Related Missions**:
  - **Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX)**: A NASA ultraviolet space telescope.
  - **Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI)**: A solar observatory that reentered Earth’s atmosphere in 2023.

### Legacy and Impact
While CHIPS was a relatively small mission, its data helped refine models of the interstellar medium and galactic feedback processes. Its observations complemented larger missions by focusing on a niche but critical aspect of astrophysics.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer",
  "description": "A NASA space telescope launched in 2003 to study hot interstellar plasma in the Milky Way via extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy.",
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013