wire

The Wide Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) was a satellite launched on 5 March 1999 on the Pegasus XL rocket into a polar orbit between 409 km and 426 km above the Earth's surface. WIRE was intended to be a four-month infrared survey of the entire sky at 21-27 micrometres and 9-15 micrometres, specifically focusing on starburst galaxies and luminous protogalaxies.

Launched March 1999

WIRE was one of two missions selected in 1994 as part of NASA's Small Explorer Program (SMEX). The spacecraft will survey the celestial sky in the infrared bands
and will build on the results of the IRAS mission. T