00:00On this day in space. On January 26, 1978, the International Ultraviolet Explorer launched into
00:08orbit on a mission to study ultraviolet light emitted by stars and other bright objects in
00:12the universe. Because a lot of that UV light is absorbed by Earth's ozone layer, astronomers needed
00:17a space-based observatory to look at it. The IUE mission allowed astronomers to study hot, bright
00:22stars, active galactic nuclei, supernova explosions, and more. The mission was a joint project between
00:29NASA and the European Space Agency, and it lasted more than 18 years before budget cuts led to its
00:34decommissioning. The derelict satellite is still in orbit around the Earth today. And that's what
00:39happened on this day in space.
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