Astron was a Soviet space telescope launched on 23 March 1983 at 12:45:06 UTC, using the Proton-K rocket.

[5] Based on the 4MV spacecraft design and operational for six years, Astron was the largest ultraviolet space telescope of its time.

[6][7][8] The spacecraft was designed and constructed by the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory and NPO Lavochkin.

[9] The payload consisted of an 80 cm ultraviolet telescope, which was jointly designed by the USSR and France, and an X-ray spectroscope.

[11] Placed into an orbit with an apogee of 185,000 kilometres (115,000 mi), Astron was capable of making observations outside the Earth's umbra and radiation belt.