Implementation of Solar Spectral Irradiance Measurements from the International Space Station: The TSIS-1 First Light and Early Mission Results
Abstract
The long-term, continuous measurements of the nearly full spectrum solar spectral irradiance (SSI) began with the Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) mission launched in 2003 and continues to provide SSI observations through present day. After nearly two decades of delays and programmatic changes, the first implementation of NASA's Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS-1) launched on December 15th, 2017 and was integrated on the International Space Station (ISS). The TSIS-1 mission provides continuation SSI observations (200-2400 nm) with an improved version of the LASP Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM). The TSIS-1 SIM provides the long-term measurement link to the SORCE end-of-mission SSI data record. After two months of instrument commissioning the TSIS-1 SIM began SSI observations on March 3th, 2018. In this talk we present the early mission results comparing both the absolute first light spectrum and the 9-month overlap with the SORCE SIM. We also address the operational and observational challenges of using the ISS as a scientific platform for continuous, long-term measurement of critical data records.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFMSH32B..07R
- Keywords:
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- 3305 Climate change and variability;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSESDE: 1650 Solar variability;
- GLOBAL CHANGEDE: 7536 Solar activity cycle;
- SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMYDE: 7538 Solar irradiance;
- SOLAR PHYSICS;
- ASTROPHYSICS;
- AND ASTRONOMY