Stepping Stones to SDO

  • Released Tuesday, March 11, 2008
View full credits

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is currently in the 'integration and test' phase of mission development, (i.e. observatory is now complete with the spacecraft bus, propulsion module and instruments), the ground system is being completed and flight software is being tested. Critical systems testing has already begun and environmental testing of he observatory will be conducted in the near future as they continue towards a launch readiness date of December 1, 2008. This series of short videos shows the SDO spacecraft being assembled and tested with narration by the engineers doing the work. It will be updated until SDO is ready for launch.

For more information on SDO, visit the web site http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov

SDO OFFICIALLY AN OBSERVATORY
A major milestone was reached when Goddard engineers recently attached the instrument module to the spacecraft bus transforming it officially into an observatory. With its three instruments (AIA, EVE, and HMI), SDO will deliver startling images of the Sun that are ten times better than HD!

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

HIGH GAIN ANTENNA / SOLAR ARRAY TEST DEPLOY (Narrated)


This is a narrated version of the previous "High Gain Antenna/Solar Array Test Deploy" video.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

HMI INTEGRATION


HMI looks at the outside of the Sun to try and determine what is happening on the inside.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

PROPULSION AND BUS INTEGRATION
After launch, SDO's propulsion system will boost the spacecraft into its geosynchronous orbit. Thrusters using the same fuel and oxidizer mix will keep SDO in the correct orbit during the mission. The Bus carries the electronics and battery for the spacecraft.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

INTEGRATING PROP AND RING
Mating the SDO propulsion tank and the launch vehicle payload attach fitting is done to enable Goddard engineers to perform a dry vibration test of the. Slow and care are key.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

HMI INSTRUMENT ARRIVAL
The primary goal of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) investigation is to study the origin of solar variability and to characterize and understand the Sun's interior and the various componenets of magnetic activity.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

EVE INSTRUMENT ARRIVAL
The Extreme ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) measures the solar extreme ultraviolet irradiance or 'density of radiation' with unprecendented spectral resolution, temporal cadence, accuracy, and precision to advance the understanding of the solar EUV irradiance variations based on the activity of solar magnetic features.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

PROPULSION TANK INTEGRATION

SDO's Propulsion Tank, with pyro-technic valves, will send fuel to various thrusters on the observatory's main engine for launch.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

BATTERY INTEGRATION ON THE BUS
This battery will provide all the energy SDO needs while in orbit. It is charged by collecting the Sun's energy with the solar array panels.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

SDO OFFICIALLY AN OBSERVATORY (Narrated)
This is a narrated version of the previous "SDO Officially an Observatory" video.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

HMI INTEGRATION (Narrated)


This is a narrated version of the previous "HMI Integration" video.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

PROPULSION AND BUS INTEGRATION (Narrated)
This is a narrated version of the previous "Propulsion and Bus Integration" video.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

INTEGRATING PROP AND RING (Narrated)
This is a narrated version of the previous "Integrating Prop and Ring" video.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

HMI INSTRUMENT ARRIVAL (Narrated)
This is a narrated version of the previous "HMI Instrument Arrival" video.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

EVE INSTRUMENT ARRIVAL (Narrated)
This is a narrated version of the previous "EVE Instrument Arrival" video.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

PROPULSION TANK INTEGRATION (Narrated)

This is a narrated version of the previous "Propulsion Tank Integration" video.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

BATTERY INTEGRATION ON THE BUS (Narrated)
This is a narrated version of the previous "Battery Integration on the Bus" video.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

HIGH GAIN ANTENNA / SOLAR ARRAY TEST DEPLOY


To send the downlink signal while flying in orbit, SDO's High Gain Antennas (HGAs) need to be pointed toward Earth. The solar arrays are there to convert the energy from the Sun into DC power for the satellite and its instruments.

For complete transcription of this video, please click here.

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

This page was originally published on Tuesday, March 11, 2008.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:55 PM EDT.

Missions

This page is related to the following missions:

Series

This page can be found in the following series:

Datasets used

Note: While we identify the data sets used on this page, we do not store any further details, nor the data sets themselves on our site.