# space telescope

> instrument in outer space for observing distant space objects

**Wikidata**: [Q148578](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q148578)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_telescope)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/space-telescope

## Summary
A space telescope is an instrument located in outer space used for observing distant space objects. Also known as a space observatory, it is a type of artificial satellite specifically designed for astronomical observation. By operating outside of Earth's atmosphere, these instruments can capture data from across the electromagnetic spectrum that is otherwise blocked or distorted.

## Key Facts
- **Primary Function:** To serve as an instrument in outer space for observing distant space objects.
- **Classification:** A space telescope is a subclass of telescope, astronomical observatory, space instrument, and artificial satellite.
- **Synonyms:** The terms "space observatory" and "satellite observatory" are often used interchangeably with "space telescope."
- **Specialized Types:** Specific classes include X-ray astronomy satellites, liquid mirror space telescopes, astrometry satellites, and far ultraviolet space telescopes.
- **Historical Programs:** Notable early programs include the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) series, with four observatories launched between 1966 and 1972, and the Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO) series.
- **Proposed Concepts:** A proposed future class is the Solar gravitational lens telescope, which would use the Sun's gravity as a massive lens.
- **Data Association:** The Digitized Sky Survey (DSS), a digital version of photographic astronomical surveys, was produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute.

## FAQs
### Q: What is a space telescope?
A: A space telescope, or space observatory, is an instrument that orbits the Earth or travels through space to observe distant astronomical objects. It is a type of artificial satellite built specifically for the purpose of astronomy.

### Q: Is a space telescope a type of satellite?
A: Yes, a space telescope is a type of artificial satellite. It is a human-made object that has been intentionally placed into an orbit to perform its scientific function.

### Q: Are all space telescopes the same?
A: No, they are often highly specialized. Different types are designed for specific tasks, such as X-ray astronomy, solar observation, or astrometry, which is the precise measurement of the positions and movements of stars.

## Why It Matters
The space telescope is a crucial tool in modern astronomy, enabling observations that are impossible from Earth's surface. The planet's atmosphere blocks or distorts many forms of light, such as X-rays and far-ultraviolet radiation. By placing observatories in space, scientists can bypass this atmospheric interference and gain a clear, unfiltered view of the cosmos.

This capability has revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Specialized missions, like X-ray astronomy satellites, allow for the study of high-energy phenomena such as black holes and neutron stars. Missions designed to study "matter under extreme conditions of density, gravity and magnetism" push the boundaries of fundamental physics. Other space telescopes are dedicated to specific tasks like creating precise maps of the stars (astrometry satellites) or continuously monitoring our Sun (solar observatories). From understanding the basic physical processes on the solar surface to observing the most distant galaxies, space telescopes provide the essential data that drives astronomical discovery.

## Notable For
- **Atmosphere-Free Observation:** Their primary advantage is operating above Earth's atmosphere, allowing them to detect electromagnetic wavelengths like X-rays and far-ultraviolet light that do not reach the ground.
- **Highly Specialized Missions:** Space telescopes are often designed for very specific scientific goals. Examples from the source material include the Orbiting Solar Observatory series for studying the Sun and the High Energy Transient Explorer for high-energy astrophysics.
- **Dedicated Historical Programs:** The concept led to pioneering, multi-satellite programs, most notably the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) series, which launched four spacecraft between 1966 and 1972 to make the first high-quality ultraviolet observations of stars.
- **Varied Deployment Methods:** While many are launched as standalone satellites, some space telescopes have been designed as free-flying observatories deployed and retrieved on Space Shuttle missions, such as the ORFEUS-SPAS and CRISTA-SPAS platforms.

## Body
### Classification and Terminology
A space telescope is formally classified as a subclass of `telescope`, `astronomical observatory`, `space instrument`, and `artificial satellite`. The terms "space observatory" and "satellite observatory" are common synonyms. The concept is widely recognized in global information systems, with identifiers in databases such as GND, YSO, BabelNet, and the Unified Astronomy Thesaurus (ID 1543).

### Types and Classes
Space telescopes are not a monolithic category; they encompass a wide range of specialized instruments and missions.
- **X-ray Astronomy Satellite:** A satellite designed for X-ray astronomy.
- **Liquid Mirror Space Telescope:** A telescope that uses a reflecting liquid, such as mercury, as its primary mirror.
- **Astrometry Satellite:** An artificial satellite that performs astrometry, the science of precisely measuring the positions and movements of stars and other celestial bodies. An example is the Gaia space observatory.
- **Solar Observatory:** A telescope focused on observing the Sun. Examples include the Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO) series and the proposed Orbiting Solar Laboratory (OSL).
- **Far Ultraviolet Space Telescope:** An instrument designed for observations in the far-ultraviolet spectrum, such as the FAUST instrument.

### Notable Programs and Missions
Several multi-spacecraft programs have been dedicated to space-based astronomy.
- **Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO):** A series of four NASA space observatories launched between 1966 and 1972. OAO-B was lost during launch when the rocket fairing failed to separate.
- **Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO):** A series of American solar space observatories.
- **Shuttle-Based Observatories:** Several missions utilized the Space Shuttle for deployment. These include free-flying platforms like ORFEUS-SPAS I (STS-51), CRISTA-SPAS I (STS-66), and CRISTA-SPAS II (STS-85), as well as payloads like the Spacelab 2 X-ray Telescope (STS-51-F).

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "space telescope",
  "description": "An instrument in outer space for observing distant space objects.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q169514",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_telescope"
  ],
  "image": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/HST-SM4.jpeg",
  "alternateName": [
    "space observatory",
    "Telescopio espacial",
    "Satelite astronomico",
    "Satélite astronomico",
    "Satelite astronómico",
    "Satélite astronómico",
    "Observatorio orbital",
    "téléscope spatial",
    "observatoire spatial",
    "télélescopes spatiaux"
  ],
  "additionalType": [
    "http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/Thing",
    "http://umbel.org/umbel/rc/AstronomicalObservatory",
    "http://umbel.org/umbel/rc/ArtificialSatellite"
  ]
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet
3. KBpedia
4. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)