NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Explorer 57 (IUE)

Launch Time
Thu Jan 26, 1978 17:36 UTC

Rocket

Delta 2914
Image Credit: USAF or NASA
US Air Force
Status: Retired
Payload to GTO: 724 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 9

Mission Details

Explorer 57 (IUE/SAS-D)

The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE, formerly SAS-D) satellite was a spaceborne ultraviolet astronomical observatory for use as an international facility. The IUE contained a 45-cm telescope solely for spectroscopy in the wavelength range o 1150 to 3250 A. The satellite and optical instrumentation were provided by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The television cameras, used as detectors, were provided by the United Kingdom Science Engineering Research Council (SERC, formerly UKSRC). The European Space Agency (ESA, formerly ESRO) supplied solar paddles for the satellite and a European Control Center. After launch, two-thirds of the observing time was directed from a control center at GSFC; one-third of the time the satellite was operated from the European Control Center near Madrid.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 669.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Location

SLC-17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Stats

1978

12th orbital launch attempt

Delta 2000 Series

34th mission
1st mission of 1978
32nd successful mission
7th consecutive successful mission