Introduction
SMEI is an instrument designed to detect the transient clouds of hot ionized gases which are emitted by the sun from time to time. Of particular interest are those clouds that are coming towards the earth, as they can have a serious effect on earth-orbiting satellites, electrical power distribution networks and long distance radio.
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Team
The SMEI team comprises the following individuals:
- (at AFRL) R. Radick, P. Holladay, J. Johnston, T. Kuchar, D. Mizuno, J. Mozer, S. Price, and D. Sinclair;
- (at UCSD) B. Jackson, A. Buffington, and P. Hick;
- (at UB) G. Simnett, M. Cooke, C. Eyles, J. Tappin;
- (at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories) N. Waltham;
- (at BC) D. Webb.
Other participants have included S. Keil (National Solar Observatory), S. Kahler, R. Altrock (AFRL), and P. Anderson (BU).
Timeline
The SMEI instrument was delivered on time and integrated to the spacecraft in late April 2001.
This mission was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, on January 6th, 2003, at 14:19am GMT. The satellite completed initial checkout on February 6th, 2003, and is currently running normal operations. A first light all-sky map was produced from the very early data.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| October 2000 | FM Cameras completed initial calibration work |
| November 2000 | EM DHU and Cameras completed thermal vacuum testing |
| December 2000 | FM DHU build and initial testing completed |
| January 2001 | FM DHU and Cameras completed thermal vacuum testing |
| February 2001 | FM DHU and Cameras completed initial EMC testing |
| March 2001 | FM Cameras EMC rework completed |
| March 2001 | FM Cameras post-EMC rework re-vibration completed |
| March 2001 | FM Camera CCD flat field tables received and integrated |
| April 2001 | FLIGHT MODEL DELIVERY |
| April 2001 | SMEI Flight Model DHU and Cameras shipped to Phoenix |
| April 2001 | SMEI Flight Model DHU and Cameras successfully integrated to spacecraft |
| May 2001 | SMEI Flight Model DHU and Cameras in-situ testing on spacecraft |
| June 2001 | SMEI Flight Software updates generation and testing |
| July 2001 | SMEI Flight Software regression testing |
| November 2001 | SMEI Flight Software Update Installation |
| December 2001 | Windsat Integration |
| January 2002 | Coriolis Full-Up System Testing |
| August 2002 | SMEI Flight Software Data Table Updates |
| August 2002 | RSC Rehersal 1 |
| October 2002 | RSC Rehersal 2 |
| October 2002 | Spacecraft Transfer to Vandenburg Airforce Base |
| October 2002 | SMEI Baffle Inspection And Cleaning |
| November 2002 | RSC Rehersal 3 |
| November 2002 | Coriolis Launch-Pad Closeout |
| December 2002 | RSC Launch Dress Rehersal |
| December 2002 | Dec 15-18 Launch Attempts Scrubbed |
| January 2003 | SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH! |
| February 2003 | Coriolis 30-day Initial Checkout |
| February 2003 onwards | Coriolis Standard Operations |
Links
Other sites of interest are listed here.
- SMEI pages at the USAF Space Vehicles Directorate - May 2005.
- National Solar Observatory Data Access Site.
- Space Weather 'Living With a Star' article.
- Solar Mass Ejection Imager project page at UCSD.
As ever, I have no control of the content of external sites.
Maintained by Mark CookeLast Updated: 12-Jan-2023