On December 19, 1984, NASA launched the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS), marking a significant milestone in the field of astronomy. IRAS was the first satellite dedicated to making infrared observations of astronomical sources, providing invaluable data on stars, galaxies, and comets.

IRAS was a collaborative project involving NASA and the California Institute of Technology, along with other international partners. With its advanced technology, it allowed researchers to study cosmic phenomena that were invisible to optical telescopes.

What do you think about the role of satellites in modern astronomy? Have they changed how we view space?