The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array is the first telescope of its kind to be sent into space. It is unique in that it has actual focusing optics to observe the high energy x-ray (6-79 KeV) spectrum.
NuSTAR overview
The purpose of this mission is to basically allow for a wider and clearer range of detection. It give us a wide range of information, such as the distribution of black holes throughout the universe, data on the evolution of various structures in the universe, and information about super-massive black-holes and supernovae. The number of possible uses of this data is only limited by the time and interest of astronomers.
The resolution difference is quite profound as seen below
The Rocket was set to launch sometime this month, but was delayed so that software could be fine tuned to ensure smooth communication between the rocket and the launch vehicle's flight computer. The launch vehicle is actually a pegasus rocket, brought to about 40k feet altitude by an airplane, specifically an L-1011 aircraft named Stargazer. The rocket is then deployed and activates, bringing the array to its desired orbit before separating.
When the array reaches the desired orbit it unfolds a 33 foot extension arm, separating the optics from the detectors.
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