# Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer

> NASA space observatory

**Wikidata**: [Q766426](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q766426)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossi_X-ray_Timing_Explorer)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rossi-x-ray-timing-explorer

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer**:

---

## Summary  
The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) is a NASA space observatory designed to study X-ray emissions from celestial objects. Launched in 1995, it was part of NASA's Explorers Program and operated as a space telescope specializing in high-time-resolution X-ray astronomy. It succeeded the Solar Anomalous and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer and preceded the Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: December 30, 1995 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II rocket ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1995-074A ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855))  
- **Part of**: NASA's Explorers Program (designated Explorer 69) ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q191168))  
- **Aliases**: RXTE, Explorer 69, X-Ray Timing Explorer  
- **Type**: Space telescope ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855))  
- **Preceded by**: Solar Anomalous and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (Explorer 68)  
- **Succeeded by**: Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer (Explorer 70)  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the primary mission of the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer?  
A: RXTE was designed to observe X-ray emissions with high time resolution, enabling studies of neutron stars, black holes, and other high-energy astrophysical phenomena.  

### Q: When was RXTE launched, and what rocket carried it?  
A: It launched on December 30, 1995, aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.  

### Q: Is RXTE still operational?  
A: No, RXTE was decommissioned in 2012 after 16 years of successful scientific observations.  

## Why It Matters  
The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer revolutionized the study of high-energy astrophysics by providing unprecedented time-resolution data on X-ray sources. Its observations were critical for understanding phenomena like pulsars, black hole accretion disks, and quasi-periodic oscillations. RXTE's long operational lifespan and robust dataset contributed to over 2,200 scientific papers, cementing its legacy as one of NASA's most productive missions. Its discoveries advanced theories about extreme cosmic environments and laid groundwork for future X-ray observatories like NICER and IXPE.

## Notable For  
- **High-time-resolution X-ray observations**: Enabled studies of millisecond-scale variability in cosmic X-ray sources.  
- **Longevity**: Operated for 16 years, far exceeding its original 2-year mission design.  
- **Scientific output**: Data used in over 2,200 research papers.  
- **Explorers Program legacy**: The 69th mission in NASA's long-running Explorers Program.  

## Body  
### Mission Overview  
- Launched December 30, 1995, as part of NASA's Explorers Program.  
- Primary instruments: Proportional Counter Array (PCA), High-Energy X-ray Timing Experiment (HEXTE), and All-Sky Monitor (ASM).  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Spacecraft ID**: 23757 (Wolfram Language Entity Code).  
- **Official Website**: [HEASARC RXTE Page](https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/xte/xte_1st.html).  

### Launch and Deployment  
- Rocket: Delta II (retired expendable launch system).  
- Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.  

### Legacy and Decommissioning  
- Decommissioned in 2012 after 16 years of operation.  
- Data archived and publicly available via [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367).  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer",
  "description": "NASA space observatory for high-time-resolution X-ray astronomy.",
  "url": "https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/xte/xte_1st.html",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossi_X-ray_Timing_Explorer"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Space Telescope"
}

## References

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