posted 09-30-2020 06:11 PM               

Space Cover #579: International Ultraviolet Explorer

This week's cover commemorates the launch of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) on January 26, 1978 aboard Delta launch vehicle #138.

The IUE satellite was a cooperative satellite program between NASA, European Space Agency (ESA) and the British Science Research Council (SRC). Data returned by IUE shed more light on the nature of the different kinds of stars that populated our galaxy; on the material between the stars from which stars are formed; on the many objects that are emitting radio waves and x-rays and on nearby galaxies.

The above cover was autographed by Project Manager, Gerald Longanecker and Project Scientist, Dr. Albert Boggess. The Goddard Space Flight Center stamp club serviced 500 covers for the mission and sold out.