SOLAR (ISS)

ESA science observatory on the Columbus Laboratory

SOLAR SOLAR heads into orbit on STS-122 The STS-122 crew included two ESA astronauts, Léopold Eyharts (fr) and Hans Schlegel (de)

SOLAR[1] was an ESA science observatory on the Columbus Laboratory, which is part of the International Space Station. SOLAR was launched with Columbus in February 2008 aboard STS-122. It was externally mounted to Columbus with the European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF). SOLAR has three main space science instruments: SOVIM, SOLSPEC and SOL-ACES.[2] Together they provide detailed measurements of the Sun's spectral irradiance.[3] The SOLAR platform and its instruments are controlled from the Belgian User Support and Operations Centre (B.USOC), located at the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BISA) in Uccle, Belgium.

## Instruments

[edit]

* SOVIM (Solar Variability and Irradiance Monitor) instrument is based on an earlier instrument (SOVA) which flew aboard the European Retrievable Carrier, launched on STS-46 in 1992.[4] It is designed to measure solar radiation with wavelengths from 200 nanometers - 100 micrometers. This covers near-ultraviolet, visible and infrared areas of the spectrum.
* SOLSPEC (Solar Spectral irradiance measurements) is designed to measure the solar spectral irradiance in the 165- to 3000-nanometer range with high spectral resolution.
* SOL-ACES (Auto-calibrating Extreme Ultraviolet and Ultraviolet spectrometers) consists of four grazing incidence grating spectrometers. They are designed to measure the EUV/UV spectral regime (17 nanometers - 220 nanometers) with moderate spectral resolution.[5]

## Mission

[edit]

The mission was originally planned for a 2003 launch, but was delayed following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.[citation needed] Some other components are also planned to be mounted externally on Columbus on future missions, including the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES). Another name for SOLAR may be Solar Monitoring Observatory or SMO.

In 2012, the entire 450-tonne station was rotated so SOLAR could observe a full rotation of the Sun continuously.[6] A Solar rotation takes about 24–28 days depending on the latitude.[7]

SOLAR's mission ended in 2017 with the failure of all but one of its instruments. On the morning of January 28, 2020 SOLAR was removed from FRAM 1 where it rested since it was delivered on STS 122 and strapped to the side of Cygnus NG-12 with the SDS placed on the other side. SOLAR was released from the station on February 3, 2020 and burnt up in the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean on March 13, 2020 ending the mission which spent a decade photographing the sun.[8]

## Visuals

[edit]

The Solar Monitoring Observatory is externally mounted on the Columbus Laboratory | SOLAR

|

## See also

[edit]

* Scientific research on the ISS
* Spectroscopy

## References

[edit]

1. ^ SOLAR: three years observing and ready for solar maximum - ESA
2. ^ Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus (Solar)
3. ^ "Solar Package on ISS". Belgian User Support and Operation Centre. Retrieved 2007-09-21.
4. ^ Manise, Nicolas (2000-08-22). "SOVIM (Solar Variability and Irradiance Monitor)". Belgian International Space Station User Support Center. Retrieved 2007-09-21.[permanent dead link]
5. ^ Wienhold, F.G.; et al. (2000). "The solar package on ISS: SOL-ACES". Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Part C: Solar, Terrestrial & Planetary Science. 25 (5–6): 473–476\. Bibcode:2000PCEC...25..473W. doi:10.1016/S1464-1917(00)00060-X.5–6&rft.pages=473-476&rft.date=2000&rft_id=info:doi/10.1016/S1464-1917(00)00060-X&rft_id=info:bibcode/2000PCEC...25..473W&rft.au=Wienhold,+F.G.&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:SOLAR+(ISS)" class="Z3988">
6. ^ International Space Station
7. ^ Solar rotation
8. ^ Clark, Stephen. "Cygnus departs space station, deploys CubeSats – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 2020-06-12.

* "Sun Monitoring on the External Payload Facility of Columbus (Solar)". NASA. 2007-09-14. Retrieved 2007-09-21.

## External links

[edit]

* SOLAR at eoPortal
* SOLAR at ESA
* SOLSPEC homepage (includes photo gallery)

* v
* t
* e

Solar space missions

* List of heliophysics missions \- List of solar telescopes

Current|

* ACE (since 1997)
* Aditya-L1 (since 2023)
* ASO-S (since 2022)
* CHASE (Xihe) (since 2021)
* DSCOVR (since 2015)
* Hinode (Solar-B) (since 2006)
* IRIS (since 2013)
* Parker Solar Probe (since 2018)
* PROBA-3 (since 2024)
* PUNCH (since 2025)
* Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (since 1995)
* Solar Dynamics Observatory (since 2010)
* Solar Orbiter (since 2020)
* STEREO (since 2006)
* Wind (since 1994)

Past|

* Apollo Telescope Mount
* CORONAS-I
* CORONAS-F
* CORONAS-Photon
* EURECA
* ESRO 2B
* Genesis
* GOES 13
* Helios
* Hinotori (Astro-A)
* IMP-8
* ISEE-1
* ISEE-2
* ICE / ISEE-3
* MinXSS1
* MinXSS2
* Orbiting Solar Observatory
* OSO 1
* OSO 2/OSO B
* OSO 3
* OSO 4
* OSO 5
* OSO 6
* OSO 7
* OSO 8
* Solwind
* PICARD
* Pioneer 5
* Pioneer 6, 7, 8 and 9
* PROBA-2
* Prognoz programme
* RHESSI
* SOLAR
* SolarMax
* Spartan 201
* Taiyo (SRATS)
* TRACE
* Ulysses
* Yohkoh (Solar-A)

Planned|

* SWFO-L1 (2025)
* TRACERS (2025)
* SOLAR-C (2028)
* HelioSwarm (2028)
* Solar Polar Orbit Observatory (2029)
* Vigil (2031)

Proposed|

* ADAHELI
* SETH
* Sundiver
* GSST

Cancelled|

* AOSO
* Pioneer H
* OSO J
* OSO K
* Solar Cruiser
* Solar Sentinels

Lost|

* Pioneer E
* OSO C

Sun-Earth|

* SORCE
* SXI
* ACRIMSAT
* Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (since 2025)

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Components of the International Space Station

Orbiting|

| Russian Segment|

* Nauka
* Poisk
* Prichal
* Rassvet
* Zarya
* Zvezda

|

US Segment|

* BEAM
* Columbus
* Cupola
* Destiny
* Harmony
* Kibō
* Leonardo
* Quest airlock
* Tranquility
* Unity

Subsystems|

* Bishop airlock
* Electrical System
* European Robotic Arm
* External Stowage Platforms
* ExPRESS Logistics Carriers
* International Docking Adapters
* Integrated Truss Structure
* Life Support System
* Mobile Servicing System
* Canadarm2
* Dextre
* Boom Assembly
* Pressurized Mating Adapters
* Strela cranes
* Window Observational Research Facility

Experimental
devices|

* AMS-02
* CALET
* CATS
* GEDI
* HDEV
* ISS-CREAM
* MAXI
* NICER
* PK-3 Plus
* SAGE III

Former|

| Major
components|

* Pirs

|

Future|

| Planned|

* Axiom PPTM
* US Deorbit Vehicle

|

Spare
hardware|

* Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules
* Interim Control Module
* Node 4

Cancelled|

* Propulsion Module
* Centrifuge Accommodations Module
* Habitation Module
* Crew Return Vehicle
* Science Power Platform
* Universal Docking Module
* Russian Research Module
* Science Power Module
* XBASE

Related|

* Manufacturing of the ISS
* Assembly of the ISS

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Space telescopes

Operating|

| Radio and Microwave|

* NCLE (since 2018)
* Solar Orbiter (since 2020)
* STEREO (since 2006)
* Queqiao (since 2018)
* Wind (since 1994)
* Queqiao 2 (since 2024)

|

Infrared|

* Odin (since 2001)
* SOLAR (since 2008)
* James Webb (since 2022)

Optical|

* Aoi (since 2018)
* Astrosat (since 2015)
* BRITE constellation (since 2013)
* CHASE (since 2021)
* CHEOPS (since 2019)
* DSCOVR (since 2015)
* Euclid (since 2023)
* Hayabusa2 (since 2021)
* HiRISE (since 2005)
* Hubble (since 1990)
* Hinode (Solar-B) (since 2006)
* NEOSSat (since 2013)
* Odin (since 2001)
* SDO (since 2010)
* SOHO (since 1995)
* SOLAR (since 2008)
* Swift (since 2004)
* TESS (since 2018)
* PROBA-3 (since 2024)

Ultraviolet|

* Aditya-L1 (since 2023)
* ASO-S (since 2022)
* Astrosat (since 2015)
* Hibari (since 2021)
* Hinode (Solar-B) (since 2006)
* IRIS (since 2013)
* SDO (since 2010)
* SOHO (since 1995)
* Solar Orbiter (since 2020)
* STEREO (since 2006)
* Swift (since 2004)
* PROBA-3 (since 2024)

X-ray and Gamma-ray|

* CALET (since 2015)
* Chandra (AXAF) (since 1999)
* DAMPE (since 2015)
* Einstein Probe (since 2024)
* HXMT (Insight) (since 2017)
* INTEGRAL (since 2002)
* Fermi (since 2008)
* GECAM (since 2020)
* IXPE (since 2021)
* Spektr-RG (since 2019)
* SVOM (since 2024)
* Swift (since 2004)
* Max Valier Sat (since 2017)
* MAXI (since 2009)
* MinXSS-2 (since 2018)
* NICER (since 2017)
* NuSTAR (since 2012)
* LEIA (since 2022)
* XRISM (since 2023)
* XPoSat (since 2024)
* XMM-Newton (since 1999)

Other (particle
or unclassified)|

* ACE (since 1997)
* AMS-02 (since 2011)
* CALET (since 2015)
* DAMPE (since 2015)
* IBEX (since 2008)
* ISS-CREAM (since 2017)
* Mini-EUSO (since 2019)
* SOHO (since 1995)
* Solar Orbiter (since 2020)
* STEREO (since 2006)

Planned|

* PETREL (2025)
* SPHEREx (2025)
* K-EUSO (2026)
* Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (2026)
* PLATO (2026)
* Xuntian (2026)
* COSI (2027)
* LORD (2027)
* NEO Surveyor (2027)
* JASMINE (2028)
* Solar-C EUVST (2028)
* ARIEL (2029)
* Spektr-UV (2030)
* UVEX (2030)
* Spektr-M (2030+)
* LiteBIRD (2032)
* Taiji (2033)
* Athena (2035)
* LISA (2035)

Proposed|

* Arcus
* Astro-1 Telescope
* AstroSat-2
* EXCEDE
* Fresnel Imager
* FOCAL
* GSST-PMM
* HabEx
* HWO
* Hypertelescope
* ILO-1
* iWF-MAXI
* JEM-EUSO
* LUCI
* LUVOIR
* Lynx
* Nano-JASMINE
* Nautilus Deep Space Observatory
* New Worlds Mission
* NRO donation to NASA
* ORBIS
* OST
* PhoENiX
* Solar-D
* Space Solar Telescope
* THEIA
* THESEUS

Retired|

* AGILE (2007–2024)
* Akari (Astro-F) (2006–2011)
* ALEXIS (1993–2005)
* Alouette 1 (1962–1972)
* Ariel 1 (1962, 1964)
* Ariel 2 (1964)
* Ariel 3 (1967–1969)
* Ariel 4 (1971–1972)
* Ariel 5 (1974–1980)
* Ariel 6 (1979–1982)
* ASTERIA (2017–2019)
* ATM (1973–1974)
* ASCA (Astro-D) (1993–2000)
* Astro-1 (1990)
* BBXRT
* HUT
* Astro-2 (HUT) (1995)
* Astron (1983–1991)
* ANS (1974–1976)
* BeppoSAX (1996–2003)
* CHIPSat (2003–2008)
* Compton (CGRO) (1991–2000)
* CoRoT (2006–2013)
* Cos-B (1975–1982)
* COBE (1989–1993)
* CXBN-2 (2017–2019)
* DXS (1993)
* SOLAR (2008-2020)
* EPOCh (2008)
* EPOXI (2010)
* Explorer 11 (1961)
* EXOSAT (1983–1986)
* EUVE (1992–2001)
* FUSE (1999–2007)
* Gaia (2013–2025)
* GALEX (2003–2013)
* Gamma (1990–1992)
* Ginga (Astro-C) (1987–1991)
* Granat (1989–1998)
* Hakucho (CORSA-b) (1979–1985)
* HALCA (MUSES-B) (1997–2005)
* HEAO-1 (1977–1979)
* Herschel (2009–2013)
* Hinotori (Astro-A) (1981–1991)
* Hisaki (SPRINT-A) (2013–2023)
* HEAO-2 (Einstein Obs.) (1978–1982)
* HEAO-3 (1979–1981)
* HETE-2 (2000–2008)
* Hipparcos (1989–1993)
* ILO-X (2024)
* IRAS (1983)
* IRTS (1995–1996)
* ISO (1996–1998)
* IUE (1978–1996)
* IXAE (1996–2004)
* Kepler (2009–2018)
* Kristall (1990–2001)
* Kvant-1 (1987–2001)
* LEGRI (1997–2002)
* LISA Pathfinder (2015–2017)
* MinXSS (2015–2017)
* MOST (2003–2019)
* MSX (1996–1997)
* Mikhailo Lomonosov (2016–2019?)
* OAO-2 (1968–1973)
* OAO-3 (Copernicus) (1972–1981)
* Orbiting Solar Observatory
* OSO 1
* OSO B
* OSO 3
* OSO 4
* OSO 5
* OSO 6
* OSO 7
* OSO 8
* Orion 1 (1971)
* Orion 2 (1973)
* PAMELA (2006–2016)
* PicSat (2018)
* Planck (2009–2013)
* RELIKT-1 (1983–1984)
* R/HESSI (2002–2018)
* ROSAT (1990–1999)
* RXTE (1995–2012)
* SAMPEX (1992–2004)
* SAS-B (1972–1973)
* SAS-C (1975–1979)
* Solwind (1979–1985)
* Spektr-R (2011–2019)
* Spitzer (2003–2020)
* Suzaku (Astro-EII) (2005–2015)
* Taiyo (SRATS) (1975–1980)
* Tenma (Astro-B) (1983–1985)
* Uhuru (1970–1973)
* Vanguard 3 (1959)
* WMAP (2001–2010)
* WISE (2009–2024)
* Yokoh (Solar-A) (1991–2001)

Hibernating
(Mission completed)|

* SWAS (1998–2005)
* TRACE (1998–2010)

Lost/Failed|

* OAO-1 (1966)
* OAO-B (1970)
* CORSA (1976)
* CXBN (2012–2013)
* OSO C (1965)
* ABRIXAS (1999)
* HETE-1 (1996)
* WIRE (1999)
* Astro-E (2000)
* Tsubame (2014–2015)
* Hitomi (Astro-H) (2016)

Cancelled|

* Aelita
* AOSO
* Astro-G
* Constellation-X
* Darwin
* Destiny
* EChO
* Eddington
* FAME
* FINESSE
* GEMS
* HOP
* IXO
* JDEM
* LOFT
* OSO J
* OSO K
* Sentinel
* SIM & SIMlite
* SNAP
* SPICA
* SPOrt
* TAUVEX
* TPF
* XEUS
* XIPE

Related|

* Great Observatories program
* List of space telescopes
* List of proposed space telescopes
* X-ray telescope
* List of heliophysics missions
* List of planetariums
* Hubble (2010 documentary)
* Deep Sky (2023 documentary)
* Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine (2023 documentary)

* Category:Space telescopes

* v
* t
* e

European Space Agency

| Space Centres|

* Guiana
* Esrange

|

Launch vehicles|

* Ariane 6
* Vega C

Facilities|

* Space Operations Centre
* Space Research and Technology Centre
* ESA Centre for Earth Observation
* European Astronaut Centre
* Space Astronomy Centre
* Space Applications and Telecommunications Centre
* Concurrent Design Facility
* Space Telescope European Coordinating Facility

Communications|

* ESTRACK
* European Data Relay System

Programmes|

* Artemis
* ESM
* Aurora
* Copernicus
* Columbus
* CryoSat
* EGNOS
* Galileo
* ELIPS
* ExoMars
* FLPP
* Living Planet Programme
* Space Situational Awareness Programme
* Science Programme
* Cosmic Vision
* PRIDE

Predecessors|

* European Launcher Development Organisation
* European Space Research Organisation

Related topics|

* Arianespace
* ESA Television
* EUMETSAT
* European Astronaut Corps
* European Space Camp
* GEWEX
* Planetary Science Archive

Projects and missions

Science|

| Solar physics|

* ISEE-2 (1977–1987)
* Ulysses (1990–2009)
* SOHO (1995–present)
* Cluster II (2000–2024)
* Solar Orbiter (2020–present)
* Vigil (2031)

|

Planetary science|

* Giotto (1985–1992)
* Huygens (1997–2005)
* SMART-1 (2003–2006)
* Mars Express (2003–present)
* Rosetta/Philae (2004–2016)
* Venus Express (2005–2014)
* ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (2016–present)
* BepiColombo (2018–present)
* Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (2023)
* Hera (2024)
* Rosalind Franklin rover (2028)
* Comet Interceptor (2029)
* EnVision (2031)

Astronomy and
cosmology

* Cos-B (1975–1982)
* IUE (1978–1996)
* EXOSAT (1983–1986)
* Hipparcos (1989–1993)
* Hubble Space Telescope (1990–present)
* Eureca (1992–93)
* ISO (1995–1998)
* XMM-Newton (1999–present)
* INTEGRAL (2002–present)
* CoRoT (2006–13)
* Planck (2009–2013)
* Herschel (2009–2013)
* Gaia (2013–2025)
* CHEOPS (2019–present)
* James Webb Space Telescope (2021–present)
* Euclid (2023–present)
* PLATO (2026)
* ARIEL (2029)
* ARRAKIHS (2030s)
* Athena (2035)
* LISA (2035)

Earth observation|

* Copernicus (1988–present)
* Meteosat First Generation (1977–1997)
* ERS-1 (1991–2000)
* ERS-2 (1995–2011)
* Meteosat Second Generation (2002–present)
* Envisat (2002–2012)
* Double Star (2003–2007)
* MetOp (2006–present)
* GOCE (2009–2013)
* SMOS (2009–present)
* CryoSat-2 (2010–present)
* Swarm (2013–present)
* Sentinel-1 / 1A / 1B / 1C (2014–present)
* Sentinel-2 / 2A / 2B / 2C (2015–present)
* Sentinel-3 / 3A / 3B (2016–present)
* Sentinel-5 Precursor (2017–present)
* ADM-Aeolus (2018–present)
* ɸ-Sat (1 (2020) 2 (2024))
* EarthCARE (2024–present)
* Meteosat Third Generation (Sentinel-4) (2024)
* ALTIUS (2025)
* Biomass (2025)
* FLEX (2025)
* MetOp-SG-A (2025)
* MetOp-SG-B (2025)
* SMILE (2025)
* FORUM (2027)

ISS contributions|

* Columbus (2008–present)
* Automated Transfer Vehicle (2008–2015)
* Cupola (2010)
* European Robotic Arm (2021)

Telecommunications|

* GEOS 2 (1978)
* Olympus-1 (1989–1993)
* Artemis (2001–present)
* GIOVE-A (2005–present)
* GIOVE-B (2008–present)
* HYLAS-1 (2010–present)
* Galileo IOV (2011–present)
* Galileo FOC (2014–present)
* EGNOS
* European Data Relay System (2016–present)

Technology
demonstrators

* ARD (1998)
* PROBA-1 (2001–present)
* YES2 (2007)
* PROBA-2 (2009–present)
* PROBA-V (2013–present)
* IXV (2015)
* LISA Pathfinder (2015–2017)
* OPS-SAT (2019–present)
* PROBA-3 (2024–present)

Cancelled
and proposed|

* AIDA
* Ariane 5 ME
* Calathus Mission
* Ceres Polar Lander
* Columbus Man-Tended Free Flyer
* CSTS
* Darwin Mission
* Don Quijote
* e.Deorbit
* EChO
* Eddington
* EXPERT
* Hermes
* Hopper
* LOFT
* Lunar Lander
* Marco Polo
* MarcoPolo-R
* Mars sample return mission
* ODINUS
* Phootprint
* SOLARIS
* SPICA
* STE-QUEST
* THESEUS

Failed|

* Cluster
* CryoSat-1
* GEOS 1
* Schiaparelli EDM

Future missions in italics

* Category
* Commons
* Wikinews
* WikiProject

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