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Space Variable Objects Monitor
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<p>The Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) is a small <a href="/facts/X-ray_telescope/FDpF14TH">X-ray telescope</a> satellite developed by <a href="/facts/China_National_Space_Administration/q3s4bGYt">China National Space Administration</a> (CNSA), <a href="/facts/Chinese_Academy_of_Sciences/zzHb3yVm">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> (CAS) and the French Space Agency (<a href="/facts/CNES/4eJbr1fQ">CNES</a>), launched on 22 June 2024 (07:00:00 UTC). </p><p>SVOM will study the explosions of massive stars by analysing the resulting <a href="/facts/Gamma-ray_burst/oRRU6Fhn">gamma-ray bursts</a>. The light-weight X-ray mirror for SVOM weighs just 1 kg (2.2 lb). SVOM will add new capabilities to the work of finding gamma-ray bursts currently being done by the multinational satellite <i><a href="/facts/Swift_Gamma-Ray_Burst_Mission/Cq0rcuN6">Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission</a></i>. Its anti-solar pointing strategy makes the Earth cross the field of view of its payload every orbit. </p>