Descrizione : Pasadena post stamp. Comet Iraki studied by IRAS. The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) was the first-ever space-based observatory to perform a survey of the entire sky at infrared wavelengths.
Launched on January 25, 1983, its mission lasted ten months.
IRAS`s life, like that of most of infrared satellites that followed after, was limited by its cooling system. To effectively work in the infrared domain, the telescope must be cooled to cryogenic temperatures. In IRAS`s case, 73 kilograms of superfluid helium kept the telescope at a temperature of 2 kelvins (about -271 °C), keeping the satellite cool by evaporation. The on-board supply of liquid helium was depleted after 10 months on November 22, 1983, causing the telescope temperature to rise, preventing further observations. The spacecraft continues to orbit close to the earth.

USA 1772 D - picture enhanced ?

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IRAS (SATELLITE) · DISCOVERY OF A COMET