In-Orbit Performance of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer

The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite was launched by a Delta II rocket on 24 June 1999 into a ˜768 km, 25° orbit. Following the In-Orbit Checkout phase, FUSE is obtaining high-resoluti on spectra (λ/Δλ ≳ 20,000) in the spectral range 905 −1187 A. The sensitivity meets or exceeds the pre-launch predictions. Many QSOs and AGNs have already been observed.