Spitzer was launched in 2003 with a planned mission lifetime of 2.5 years. The telescope was designed to observe the universe in infrared light, which allows it to see through clouds of dust and gas that block visible light. Spitzer has made many important discoveries, including finding new planets, galaxies, and stars.
In 2009, NASA announced that Spitzer's mission would be extended for an additional five years. The telescope had been operating flawlessly, and NASA wanted to continue to take advantage of its unique capabilities.
In 2014, NASA again extended Spitzer's mission, this time for an additional three years. The telescope had continued to operate well, and NASA was still finding it to be a valuable scientific asset.
Spitzer's extended mission is now set to end in January 2020. The telescope will be turned off and will eventually re-enter Earth's atmosphere.
There are a few reasons why Spitzer has lasted so long. First, the telescope was built with a very robust design. It is able to withstand the harsh environment of space, including extreme temperatures and radiation.
Second, Spitzer's engineers have done an excellent job of maintaining the telescope. They have regularly performed maintenance tasks, such as cleaning the telescope's mirrors and calibrating its instruments.
Third, Spitzer has been lucky. The telescope has never had a major failure. This is a testament to the skill of the engineers who designed and built Spitzer.
Spitzer's extended mission has been a great success. The telescope has made many important discoveries and has helped us to better understand the universe. Spitzer will be remembered as one of the most successful space telescopes in history.
