The On-Orbit Performance of the Galaxy Evolution Explorer

Abstract

We report the first year's on-orbit performance results for the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX), a NASA Small Explorer that is performing a survey of the sky in two ultraviolet bands. The instrument comprises a 50 cm diameter modified Ritchey-Chrétien telescope with a 1°.25 field of view, selectable imaging and objective-grism spectroscopic modes, and an innovative optical system with a thin-film multilayer dichroic beam splitter that enables simultaneous imaging by a pair of photon-counting, microchannel-plate, delay-line readout detectors. Initial measurements demonstrate that GALEX is performing well, meeting its requirements for resolution, efficiency, astrometry, bandpass definition, and survey sensitivity.