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Mission Information:

ACRIMSAT Fact Sheet

Mission Name: EOS ACRIM

Spacecraft: ACRIMSAT

Principal Investigator: Richard Willson, Columbia University

Mission Team: JPL, Mission Management and Payload Development
Columbia University, Science and Data Processing

Mission Statement/Description:
The purpose of the Earth Observing System/Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor (EOS ACRIM) III Experiment is to monitor the Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) with maximum precision and provide an important link in the long term TSI database. The ACRIM III experiment will provide all solar maximum TSI results in solar cycle 23.

Science Objectives:
  • Extend the TSI database accumulated by Nimbus7/ERB, SMM/ACRIM I, UARSUARS/ACRIM II, and SOHO/VIRGO
  • Contribute data to the U.S. Global Change Research Program to understand solar influences on climate

Science Data Sets:
Radiation: Daily Average Total Solar Irradiance at 1 AU

Instrument Description:
Active Cavity Radiometer Irradiance Monitor (ACRIM) IV
  • Sun-pointing (+/-0.25 deg)
  • Weight: 13 kg
  • 200 nm to 2000 nm full spectrum
  • Power: 10 watts

Instrument Heritage:
  • SMM/ACRIM I (1980-1989)
  • UARS/ACRIM II (1991-present)
  • Active Cavity Radiometer (ACR) instrument (4 Shuttle Flights)

Minimum Science Mission:
EOS ACRIM III; 5 year lifetime, 680 km orbit, sun-synchronous
Major Milestones:
  • Project Start: September 1997
  • Instrument Delivery: April 1999
  • Launch: December 1999
  • Lifetime: 5 year lifetime

Spacecraft Contractor: Orbital Sciences Corporation

Launch Vehicle: Taurus

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This page last updated: February 1, 1999
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