The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), launched November 17th 1995, is believed to have another 10 months ahead of it to continue processing space data. Built for ESA by the French aerospace contractor Aeropatiale, the telescope is collecting data in space of infrared astronomy observations. The telescope is making studies in the infrared wavelengths between three to 200 microns.

SpaceCast has learned that the greatest concerns of ESA scientists, that the cooling system for the telescope would not continue to keep the optics at very low temperature, and that the spacecraft's pointing system would fail in the latter stages of the mission, have not been realized. By keeping the optics cold, heat from other stars can be registered. Aerospatiale engineers achieved this by placing the instrument package inside a "cryostat", a vacuum structure which contains 2250 liters of supercold liquid helium The helium keeps the optical lens at about -270C. Officials report that the temperature of this helium "bath" remains stable after 18 months in space.

The spacecraft's pointing system remains on target, with a pointing accuracy of 0.5 arc second. The spacecraft onboard guidance, and autonomous operating software is also reported as healthy. As a result of the telescope's robustness, space officials are believed ready to extend the astronomical targets that the telescope will observe to a new as yet un accessed group.