Space Infrared Telescope Facility Mission Status - October 13, 2003

Whitney Clavin (626) 395-1877
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

News Release: 2003-136
October 13, 2003

Space Infrared Telescope Facility Mission Status

The Space Infrared Telescope Facility, NASA's fourth and final Great
Observatory, has been successfully focused. This crucial milestone
which will enable the observatory's infrared eyes to see the cosmos in
clear detail was achieved after a series of delicate adjustments were
made to the telescope's secondary mirror.

Since launch on Aug. 25, the Space Infrared Telescope Facility has
performed as expected, proceeding through in-orbit checkout activities
on schedule. In addition to achieving final focus, the telescope has
cooled to an operating temperature of approximately 5 Kelvin (-268
Celsius or -451 Fahrenheit). This cold temperature will allow the
observatory to detect the infrared radiation, or heat, from celestial
objects without picking up its own infrared signature.

"The science community now has an outstanding observatory with which
to study the universe," said Dr. Michael Werner, project scientist for
the mission at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "We
are eager to complete the fine-tuning of the observatory and begin the
science program."

In-orbit checkout activities are scheduled to continue for 14 more
days, after which a one-month science verification phase will occur.
Following this, the science program will begin.

From its innovative Earth-trailing orbit around the Sun, the Space
Infrared Telescope Facility will pierce the dusty darkness enshrouding
much of the universe, revealing galaxies billions of light years away;
brown dwarfs, or failed stars; and planet-forming discs around stars.

JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena,
manages the Space Infrared Telescope Facility for NASA's Office of
Space Science, Washington, D.C. Further information about the Space
Infrared Telescope Facility is available at

http://sirtf.caltech.edu/ .


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