Problems With WIRE Spacecraft End Mission
News story originally written on March 8, 1999
The Wide-Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) will not be able to complete its
scientific mission due to an on-board problem.
Soon after launch, hydrogen began venting from the spacecraft, which
caused it to start spinning. Even though controllers are well on the way
to gaining control of the craft, the hydrogen supply has been deleted.
The hydrogen was needed to cool the on-board instruments.
"We are very disappointed at the loss of WIRE's science program," said Dr.
Ed Weiler, NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Science. "We are
establishing a formal anomaly investigation board to find out what
happened. "
WIRE's mission was to study newly forming galaxies. By studying stars in
different stages of formation, scientists hoped to better understand how
our own
sun formed.
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