The challenges of GALEX

摘要

The Galaxy Evolution Explorer, a NASA small explorer mission, is performing the first all-sky, deep imaging and spectroscopic surveys in the space ultraviolet. The prime goal of GALEX is to study star formation in galaxies and its evolution with time. Now in its fourth year of operations the emphasis of the mission is changing from completing the primary science goals set at launch to servicing the astronomical community with a guest investigator program that uses 50% or more of the available observing time. We outline here mission operations, describe some of the challenges the GALEX team has surmounted, and some of the changes needed to accomplish the goals of the extended mission.