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International Ultraviolet Explorer

The International Ultraviolet Explorer was a NASA/ESA/UK ultraviolet astronomy mission launched on January 26, 1978 into geosynchronous orbit. It enabled flexible, real-time ultraviolet spectroscopy of stars, galaxies, planets, comets, and transient events.

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Identity

Aliases
IUEInternational Ultraviolet ExplorerSAS-D
Name
International Ultraviolet Explorer
Status
completed

Details

Astronauts
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Description
The International Ultraviolet Explorer was a NASA/ESA/UK ultraviolet astronomy mission launched on January 26, 1978 into geosynchronous orbit. It enabled flexible, real-time ultraviolet spectroscopy of stars, galaxies, planets, comets, and transient events.
Destination
Geosynchronous Earth orbit
End Date
1996-09-30
Outcome
IUE operated continuously for nearly nineteen years, returning more than 100,000 ultraviolet observations before receiving its final shutdown command on September 30, 1996.
Start Date
1978-01-26
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Creation Time
August 1, 2026 at 16:53:49 UTC
Updated Time
August 1, 2026 at 16:53:49 UTC

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