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| The IUE spacecraft
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| LAUNCH DATE: |
26-Jan-1978 17:36 UT
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| MISSION END: | 30-Sep-1996 |
| LAUNCH VEHICLE: | Delta 2914 |
| LAUNCH MASS: | 671 kg |
| MISSION PHASE: |
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Geo-synchronous over Atlantic
Initially 32 050 x 52 254 km; 28.6o; 23.927 h
At mission end 36 360 x 48 003 km; 35.9o |
World's longest (18.7 years uninterrupted orbital operations) and most productive astronomical space observatory mission.
The first general user UV space observatory.
The first astronomical satellite in high earth orbit
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IUE, or International Ultraviolet Explorer, was a ESA/NASA-UK venture. It analysed ultraviolet light from the stars, which is blocked by the Earth's ozone layer but often carries storm signals of cosmic upheavals. Launched in 1978, IUE operated until 1996, making it one of the longest-lived astronomical satellites. |
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