A NASA satellite launched in 2003 April to study the star-formation history of galaxies. It carried a 0.5-m ultraviolet telescope that made a variety of imaging and spectroscopic surveys in the wavelength range 300–135 nm (near to far ultraviolet), producing a comprehensive database of UV images and spectra of galaxies and supernova remnants. In 2012 May operation of GALEX was transferred from NASA to the California Institute of Technology. The mission ended in 2013 June.
http://www.galex.caltech.edu/ Official mission website.