American Institute of Physics. Center for History of Physics. Study of Multi-Institutional Collaborations. Phase II: Space Science and Geophysics.

Launched in 1978, the IUE was designed as an ultraviolet astronomical observatory to be a guest-user facility much like ground-based observatories. Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) built the satellite, optical instrumentation, and one ground-control center. Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory and University College London (United Kingdom) supplied the detectors. The European Space Agency (ESA) supplied the solar paddles and also built a ground-control center. An international science working group of prospective users advised the spacecraft designers and made the first observations that commissioned the satellite. The spectroscope was the first in space to use echelle gratings and to image rather than scan the spectrum. The power of the spectroscopic system eliminated the need for a large telescope. Consequently, the satellite was light enough to reach geosynchronous orbit, where it could be continuously and easily operated. GSFC controlled IUE for two-thirds of the time and the European Control Center for one-third. Potential investigators propose projects to the IUE Project Scientist for time to use the satellite.

From the description of International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) (Space Science): Oral history interviews, 1992-1994. (American Institute of Physics). WorldCat record id: 79752571