Uhuru (satellite)



Uhuru was the first satellite launched specifically for the purpose of X-ray astronomy. It was also known as the X-ray Explorer Satellite, SAS-1, or Explorer 42.

This space observatory was launched on 12 December 1970 into an orbit of about 560 km apogee, 520 km perigee, 3 degrees inclination, with a period of 96 minutes. The mission ended in March 1973. It performed the first comprehensive survey of the entire sky for X-ray sources. Several hundred sources could be identified and analyzed.

The satellite's name, "Uhuru", is the Swahili word for "freedom". It was named in recognition of the hospitality of Kenya from where it was launched into orbit.

The name may also have been chosen as an "homage" to "Star Trek" character; "Uhura, whom, as noted on the show, was from Kenya. Her name, "Uhura", comes from the Swahili word uhuru, which means "freedom".