  The Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO), the x-ray component of NASA's Great
Observatories, was launched on 1999, July 23 by the Space Shuttle Columbia.
After satellite systems activation, the first x-rays focussed by the telescope
were observed on 1999, August 12. Beginning with the initial observation it was
clear that the telescope had survived the launch environment and was operating
as expected. Despite an initial surprise due to the discovery that the
telescope was far more efficient for concentrating CCD-damaging low-energy
protons than had been anticipated, the observatory is performing well and is
returning superb scientific data. Together with other space observatories, most
notably XMM-Newton, it is clear that we have entered a new era of discovery in
high-energy astrophysics.
