Space and Astronomy Atlas

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Observatories and Instruments

International Ultraviolet Explorer

Space-Based Observatories

A NASA, European Space Agency and UK space telescope launched in 1978 as one of the first observatories to give astronomers direct, interactive control of their observations in near-real time from the ground. It operated for over eighteen years, far beyond its planned three-year mission, making it one of the longest-lived astronomical satellites of its era.

Facts
Observatory Type
space observatory 1
Location
geosynchronous orbit 1
Operational
from 1978 1
Measures
ultraviolet spectra of astronomical objects 1
Operating Principle
Real-time operation, with visiting astronomers controlling observations directly from ground stations 1
Classification
Observing Band
Ultraviolet 1
Connections

Operated By

European Space Agency, Space Agencies and Companies
Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Additional Source Wikipedia: International Ultraviolet ExplorerLead section
NASA, Space Agencies and Companies

SERC (UK Science and Engineering Research Council) has no matching agency entity in this atlas.

Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)
Additional Source Wikipedia: International Ultraviolet ExplorerLead section
Sources
1. Wikipedia: International Ultraviolet Explorer
  • Lead section
    International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE or Explorer 57, formerly SAS-D) was the first space observatory primarily designed to take ultraviolet (UV) spectra.
  • Orbit section
    it was launched into a geosynchronous orbit, that is, one with a period equal to one sidereal day of 23 h 56 m.
  • Launch section
    launched on 26 January 1978, 17:36:00 UTC aboard a NASA Thor-Delta 2914 launch vehicle
  • Lead section, second clause
    was the first space observatory primarily designed to take ultraviolet (UV) spectra.
  • Operations section
    It was the first space observatory to be operated in real-time by astronomers who visited the ground stations in the United States and Spain.
  • Lead section, third clause
    was the first space observatory primarily designed to take ultraviolet (UV) spectra.
  • In Group: Optical, Ultraviolet and Exoplanet Space Telescopes, Lead sentence
    International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE or Explorer 57, formerly SAS-D) was the first space observatory primarily designed to take ultraviolet (UV) spectra.
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