00:00 On this day in space.
00:03 On January 26, 1978, the International Ultraviolet Explorer launched into orbit on a mission to study ultraviolet light emitted by stars and other bright objects in the universe.
00:13 Because a lot of that UV light is absorbed by Earth's ozone layer, astronomers needed a space-based observatory to look at it.
00:20 The IUE mission allowed astronomers to study hot bright stars, active galactic nuclei, supernova explosions, and more.
00:27 The mission was a joint project between NASA and the European Space Agency, and it lasted more than 18 years before budget cuts led to its decommissioning.
00:35 The derelict satellite is still in orbit around the Earth today.
00:38 And that's what happened on this day in space.
00:41 [ music ]
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