The first cosmic X-ray detector, launched in 1962. Credit: NASA GREENBELT, Md., June 22 (UPI) — Cosmic X-ray astronomy turned 50 years old this month, NASA said, highlighting the 1962 pioneer effort of a small team of scientists in the New Mexico desert. On June 18, 1962, an X-ray detector, crude by modern standards, was launched from the hot desert sands atop an Aerobee 150 rocket of modest performance, escaping Earth’s atmosphere for just 5 minutes 50 seconds and reaching an altitude of 140 miles. Continue reading →