Page 20 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

20
The SOHO satellite
Many of the pictures in this book were taken from the SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) satellite.
SOHO is designed to study the internal structure of the Sun, its extensive outer atmosphere, and the origin of the solar wind (page 38).
SOHO was launched on December 2, 1995. Large radio dishes around the world, which form the NASA deep space network, are used to track the spacecraft.
SOHO is made up of two modules (sections). The service module forms the lower portion of the spacecraft and provides power, thermal control, guidance, and telecommunications for the whole spacecraft as well as support for the solar panels. The payload module sits above it and houses all the scientific instruments.
With the solar panels deployed, the satellite is 9.5 m across. SOHO is located 1.5 million kilometres sunward of the Earth.