00:00On this day in space, on January 26th...
00:051978, the International Ultraviolet Explorer launched into orbit on a mission to study
00:10the ultraviolet light emitted by stars and other bright objects in the universe.
00:15As the energy light is absorbed by Earth's ozone layer, astronomers needed a space-based
00:18observatory to look at it.
00:20The IUE mission allowed astronomers to study hot, bright stars, active galactic nuclei,
00:25supernova explosions, and more.
00:28The mission was a joint project between NASA and the U.S.
00:30European Space Agency, and it lasted more than 18 years before budget cuts led to its decommissioning.
00:35The derelict satellite is still in orbit around the Earth today.
00:38And that's what happened on this day.
00:40Stay in space.
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