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The Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) mission recorded total solar irradiance (TSI) and spectral solar irradiance (SSI) from 2003 to 2020. 

SORCE carried four instruments: 

  • Solar Stellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE)
  • Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM)
  • Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM)
  • X-ray ultraviolet Photometer System (XPS)

SORCE was originally planned as a five-year mission, but remained fully operational for eight years before battery degradation began to affect operations. In 2013, SORCE was switched to daytime-only observations, extending its life until 2020. This provided enough time for NASA to prepare and launch replacement missions for TSI and SSI observations, maintaining data continuity through SORCE's successor, the Total and Spectral Irradiance Sensor 1 (TSIS-1). 

Data

20 Datasets
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Type

Solar Radiation Observation Satellite

Objective

Study solar energy and how it interacts with Earth's atmosphere and environment

Launch

Jan. 25, 2003

Data Center

GES DISC

SORCE's extended operations provided continuous observations of two 11-year solar cycles, providing a unique look into the dynamics and variability of solar energy. These observations help illuminate the impact of solar variability on Earth's atmosphere, biosphere, and climate systems. 

Over its lifetime, SORCE acquired the first TSI measurements of solar flares, acquired the first continuous measurements of TSI in the 115- to 2400-nm range, and contributed valuable irradiance observations to climate simulations and models. 

SORCE Mission Preservation Documents

Instruments Aboard SORCE

Instrument Name Operational Date(s) Spectral Resolution Type of Instrument
Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM) SORCE: April 14, 2003 - February 25, 2020; TSIS-1: March 14, 2018 - Present

1 nm - 27 nm

 UV/Visible/Infrared Instrument
Solar-Stellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE) UARS: October 3, 1991 - December 31,1999; SORCE: May 14, 2003 - February 25, 2020

1 nm

 Ultraviolet Instrument
Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM) SORCE: Feb. 25, 2003 - Feb. 25, 2020; TCTE: Dec. 13, 2013 - May 15, 2019; TSIS-1: Jan. 10, 2018 - Present

N/A

 UV/Visible/Infrared Instrument
XUV Photometer System (XPS) SORCE: February 24, 2003 - February 24, 2020

1 - 10 nm

 Photon/Optical Detector

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