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Where is the Chandra X-Ray Observatory?

Current Chandra Location

Current Chandra Location

Find out the current position of Chandra in relation to the surface of the Earth from NASA/JPL's Eyes on the Solar System applet. Chandra's elliptical orbit takes the spacecraft to an altitude of approximately 139,000 km (86,500 mi) -- more than a third of the distance to the Moon. Try our Satellite Tracking Tutorial to see for yourself just what the Chandra orbit looks like.



Animation of Chandra in Orbit

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Operating in space since 1999, Chandra detects and images X-ray sources that lie within our Solar System to those billions of light years away. The results from Chandra help explore high-energy phenomena and provide insights into the Universe's structure and evolution. View the animation of Chandra.



Tracking Chandra

Tracking Chandra

The Space Shuttle Columbia delivered Chandra to a low Earth orbit. Then, the Inertial Upper Stage rocket boosted Chandra up to a higher altitude where a built-in propulsion system took Chandra to its final orbit.

Try our Satellite Tracking Tutorial to see for yourself just what the Chandra orbit looks like.