Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer

Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE, Explorer 77, and MIDEX-0) represented the next generation, high-orbit, ultraviolet space observatory covering the wavelength range of 90.5–119.5 nanometre (nm) of the NASA operated by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. FUSE was launched on a Delta II launch vehicle on 24 June 1999, at 15:44:00 UTC, as a part of NASA's Origins Program. FUSE detected light in the far ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is mostly unobservable by other telescopes. Its primary mission was to characterize universal deuterium in an effort to learn about the stellar processing times of deuterium left over from the Big Bang. FUSE resides in a low Earth orbit, approximately 760 km (470 mi) in altitude, with an inclination of 24.98° and a 99.80 minutes orbital period. Its Explorer program designation is Explorer 77.

Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer
Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer satellite
NamesExplorer 77
MIDEX-0
Mission typeUltraviolet astronomy
OperatorNASA / CSA / CNES
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
COSPAR ID1999-035A
SATCAT no.25791
Websitehttp://fuse.pha.jhu.edu/
Mission duration3.5 years (planned)
8 years, 3 months, 23 days (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftExplorer LXXVII
Spacecraft typeFar Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer
BusFUSE
ManufacturerOrbital Sciences Corporation / JHUAPL
Launch mass1,400 kg (3,100 lb)
Dimensions5.3 × 1.9 m (17.4 × 6.2 ft)
Power520 watts
Start of mission
Launch date24 June 1999, 15:44:00 UTC
RocketDelta II 7320-10 (Delta 271)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-17A
ContractorMcDonnell Douglas
Entered service1999
End of mission
Deactivated18 October 2007
Last contact18 October 2007
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude752 km (467 mi)
Apogee altitude767 km (477 mi)
Inclination24.98°
Period99.80 minutes
Instruments
Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopy from 100–1800 Angstrom (A)

FUSE mission patch
Explorer program
 
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