Solar Missions
Missions in Operation
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BisonThe Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network (BiSON) consists of a network of six remote solar observatories dedicated to investigating the Sun’s oscillations through continuous observations. Lifetime: September 2002 – Present UK Participants: University of Birmingham Website BiSON (hosted by University of Birmingham) |
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HinodeThis is the follow-up mission to Yohkoh, studying the interaction between the Sun’s magnetic field and its corona using optical, EUV and X-ray instruments. Lifetime: September 2006 – Present UK Participants: Imperial College, RAL, UCL/MSSL, University of Cambridge, University of Central Lancashire, University of St Andrews Website Hinode EIS (hosted by UCL/MSSL); Hinode Science Center (hosted by NAOJ) |
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RHESSIThe Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) is exploring the basic physics of particle acceleration and explosive energy release in solar flares. Lifetime: February 2002 – Present UK Participants: University of Glasgow Website RHESSI Homepage (hosted by NASA); RHESSI Science Nuggets (hosted by University of California, Berkeley) |
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SDOThe Solar Dynamic Observatory will enable studies of the solar atmosphere on smaller scales of space and time and in many wavelengths simultaneously. The mission will aim to determine how the Sun’s magnetic field is generated and structured and how this stored magnetic energy is converted and released into space. The UK is involved in the development of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and data hub at UCLan. Lifetime: 2010 – present UK Participants: RAL, UCL/MSSL, University of Cambridge, University of St Andrews, UCLan Website SDO (hosted by NASA); AIA (hosted by Lockheed Martin) |
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SOHOThe Solar & Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) studies the Sun, from its deep core to the outer corona and the solar wind. The spacecraft is home to a whole host of instruments, including CDS, EIT, LASCO, MDI and SUMER. Lifetime: December 1995- Present UK Participants: RAL Website |
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STEREOThis mission uses two nearly identical space-based observatories (one ahead of the Earth and the other trailing behind) to give 3D measurements of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Lifetime: October 2006 – Present UK Participants: Aberystwyth University, Imperial College, RAL, UCL/MSSL, University of Birmingham, University of Glasgow, University of St Andrews |
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TRACEThe Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) studies the connections between fine-scale magnetic field and the associated plasma structures on the Sun by simultaneously observing the photosphere, transition region and corona. Lifetime: April 1998 – Present UK Participants: RAL Website TRACE (hosted by Lockheed Martin); TRACE (hosted by GSFC) |
Missions in Planning and Development Stages
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ESTThe EST Design Study is a project to develop the full conceptual design of the ground-based large aperture 4-meter class European Solar Telescope, that will be situated in the Canaries. UK Participants: UCL/MSSL Estimated Operational Date: Currently in design stage Website EST (hosted by EAST) |
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KuaFuThis mission is being designed to observe the complete chain of disturbance from solar atmosphere to geospace, including solar flares, CMEs, interplanetary magnetic clouds, shock waves, geomagnetic storms and auroral activities. The mission will comprise three spacecraft; two in polar orbits around the Earth and one located at the Lagrangian point L1. UK Participants: Imperial College, RAL, UCL/MSSL Estimated Operational Date: 2015 Website KuaFu (hosted by Imperial College) |
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Solar-CSolar physicists worldwide are currently working on the conceptual plans for a new solar mission, Solar-C. Two equally weight ideas, Plan A and Plan B, are being explored and a final decision as to which plan will be executed is expected to be taken by the Japanese Aerospace Exploitation Agency (JAXA) at the end of 2009. Plan A aims to study the global and local dynamo from a polar prospective, while Plan B aims to generate seamless observations from the photosphere to the corona. It is hoped that ESA and NASA will be collaborative partners from early in the planning stages. UK Participants: UCL/MSSL Estimated Operational Date: 2016 Website Solar-C (hosed by NAOJ); Solar-C Presentation |
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Solar OrbiterThis mission will follow an elliptic orbit very close to the Sun, allowing unprecedented views of high latitudes and polar regions. After only two years, the spacecraft will acquire an orbit with a perihelion of 45 solar radii and continue to perform planetary swing-by manoeuvres to increase the orbital plane to 30 degrees. UK Participants: RAL, UCL/MSSL Estimated Operational Date: 2017 Website Solar Orbiter (hosted by UCL/MSSL); Solar Orbiter (hosted by RAL); Solar Orbiter (hosted by ESA) |
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Solar Probe+This mission will explore the solar corona, approaching as close as 8.5 solar radii above the Sun’s surface, aiming to increase our knowledge of coronal heating and the origin and evolution of the solar wind. UK Participants: None to date Estimated Operational Date: 2015 Website Solar Probe Plus (hosted by NASA); |
