Portal:Radiation astronomy/X-ray astronomy article/13

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The International Cometary Explorer (ICE) mission.

Normally, observational astronomy is performed on Earth's surface, beneath it in neutrino astronomy, or in orbit. An observer becomes a deep space explorer upon escaping Earth's orbit. For a satellite or space probe to qualify as a deep space X-ray astronomer/explorer or "astronobot"/explorer, all it needs to carry aboard is an X-ray telescope or X-ray detector and leave the cozy confines of Earth orbit. Its discoveries and adventures become a part of Explorational X-ray astronomy.