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Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus -Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus -SOLar SPECtral Irradiance Measurements (Solar-SOLSPEC)
04.26.13

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Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview

This content was provided by M G. Thuillier, and is maintained in a database by the ISS Program Science Office.

Information provided courtesy of the Erasmus Experiment Archive.
Brief Summary

Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus -Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus -SOLar SPECtral Irradiance Measurements (Solar-SOLSPEC) operates at a high spectral resolution in the range of 180 to 3000 nanometers (nm), with an accuracy of 2 percent in ultravaiolet (UV) and 1 percent in visible and infrared (IR) light; for the purpose of measuring solar spectral irradiance from the sun.

Principal Investigator(s)

  • M G. Thuillier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Verrieres le Buisson, France

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    Information Pending

    Developer(s)
    Information Pending

    Sponsoring Space Agency

    European Space Agency (ESA)

    Sponsoring Organization

    Information Pending

    Research Benefits

    Information Pending

    ISS Expedition Duration:

    September 2010 - September 2014

    Expeditions Assigned

    25/26,27/28,29/30,31/32,35/36,37/38,39/40

    Previous ISS Missions

    Solar-SOLSPEC was first operated on ISS Expedition 16.

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    Experiment Description

    Research Overview

    • Solar-SOLSPEC (Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus -Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus -SOLar SPECtral Irradiance Measurements) is the observation of the solar spectrum irradiance from 180 nm to 3000 nm on board the International Space Station (ISS) with the following aims:

      • Achievement of absolute measurements (with uncertainties of 2 percent in UV and 1 percent in the visible and infrared light)

      • Study of solar variability over both short and long-term scales during solar cycle 23.

      • Correlative studies between the spectral and the total solar irradiance, utilized in other instruments on the ISS, (Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus-SOlar Variable & Irradiance Monitor, Solar-SOVIM and Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus-SOLar Auto-Calibrating EUV/UV Spectrophotometers, Solar-SOLACES) and the atmospheric and climatological implications of their variabilities.
    • The measurement of the solar spectral irradiance in the domain of 180 to 3000 nanometers is related to the aeronomy and climatology of the Earth and its atmosphere, and to Solar Physics (the mechanisms and processes of solar radiation and its variability).

    Description

    The purpose of the experiment is to measure the solar spectum irradiance from 180 nm to 3000 nm. The aims of this investigation are the study of solar variability at short and long-term periods, and the achievement of absolute measurements (2 percent in UV and 1 percent above).

    The Solar--SOLSPEC instrument is fully refurbished and improved with the experience gained from previous missions (Spacelab-01, Atlas-1, Atlas-2, Atlas-3, Eureca).

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    The awareness of the environment of the Earth and of the sun radiation level and spectrum is of importance to both Earth-based and space-borne systems as well as to advanced studies on climate. Monitoring the sun radiation outside of the Earth atmosphere over a large electromagnetic spectrum and correlating with parallel observations with other space missions and on ground helps provide the accurate data required to support predictive models and anticipate on the influence of sun radiation on our environment.

    Earth Applications

    The awareness of the environment of the Earth and of the sun radiation level and spectrum is of importance to both Earth-based and space-borne systems as well as to advanced studies on climate. Monitoring the sun radiation outside of the Earth atmosphere over a large electromagnetic spectrum and correlating with parallel observations with other space missions and on ground helps provide the accurate data required to support predictive models and anticipate on the influence of sun radiation on our environment.

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    Information Pending

    Operational Protocols

    Information Pending

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    Results/More Information

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    Related Websites
  • The information on this page is provided courtesy of the ESA Erasmus Experiment Archive.
  • Columbus Mission - European Experiment Programme

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    Imagery

    Information provided by the investigation team to the ISS Program Scientist's Office.
    If updates are needed to the summary please contact JSC-ISS-Program-Science-Group. For other general questions regarding space station research and technology, please feel free to call our help line at 281-244-6187 or e-mail at JSC-ISS-Research-Helpline.
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