NICER
ActiveLaunched in 2017·Aboard the ISS
An X-ray detector mounted outside the International Space Station, measuring the size and behaviour of neutron stars — the densest known objects.
Main objectives
- Measure the radius of neutron stars.
- Monitor X-ray bursts from pulsars and magnetars.
- Detect exoplanet X-ray transits.
Did you know?
NICER relies on the GPS satellite fleet: it uses their clocks to time each photon to within a few nanoseconds.
Timeline
Jun 03, 2017
Launch
Falcon 9 lift-off from Kennedy Space Center, bound for the ISS.
Jun 14, 2017
Installed on the ISS
Mounted outside the International Space Station.
Dec 12, 2019
Neutron-star radius
First precise radius measurement of pulsar J0030+0451.
NICER
Instruments
[01]Specifications
Mass
Timing
Position