ACRIMSAT

ACRIMSAT (Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor Satellite) was a satellite mission launched by NASA to monitor the total solar irradiance (TSI) from the Sun. The mission was part of the Earth Observing System (EOS) program and aimed to provide continuous and precise measurements of the Sun's energy output.

Mission Overview

ACRIMSAT was launched on December 20, 1999, aboard a Taurus rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The satellite was designed to operate in a Sun-synchronous orbit, allowing it to consistently observe the Sun's irradiance.

Instrumentation

The primary instrument on ACRIMSAT was the Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor III (ACRIM III). This instrument was designed to measure the TSI with high accuracy and precision. ACRIM III continued the data collection efforts of its predecessors, ACRIM I and ACRIM II, which were flown on the Solar Maximum Mission and Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), respectively.

Scientific Objectives

The main scientific objectives of the ACRIMSAT mission included:

• Monitoring the TSI to understand the Sun's influence on Earth's climate.
• Providing data to study the solar cycle and its effects on solar irradiance.
• Contributing to the long-term climate record by extending the TSI data series.

Mission Achievements

ACRIMSAT successfully operated for over 14 years, significantly contributing to the understanding of solar irradiance and its variability. The data collected by ACRIM III has been used in numerous scientific studies and has helped improve climate models.

End of Mission

The ACRIMSAT mission ended on December 14, 2013, when the satellite ceased communication with ground control. Despite the end of its operational life, the data collected by ACRIMSAT continues to be valuable for ongoing research in solar physics and climate science.

See Also

• Solar irradiance
• Earth Observing System
• Solar Maximum Mission
• Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite
• Sun-synchronous orbit

External Links

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.