Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) Spacecraft

Fun Facts About The DSCOVR Spacecraft!

• The name DSCOVR is an acronym that stands for Deep Space Climate Observator
• The spacecraft was designed to monitor real-time space weather such as the solar winds (and provide early warning of coronal mass ejections which can damage Earth’s electrical systems) and changes in Earth’s atmosphere and vegetation cover.
• At launch, DSCOVR weighed 570 kilograms (1,257 lbs) - which includes its station-keeping propellant.
• DSCOVR was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
• The space climate observatory operates from a permanent vantage point, 1.5 million kilometres from Earth (0.1 AU), towards the Sun, orbiting in what is called a Lissajous orbit around the Lagrangian point L1, every 6 months.
• From the vantage point of DSCOVR, it has uninterrupted views of both the sunlit side of Earth and the Sun.
• Communication with Earth is via the NASA/JPL Deep Space Network.
• The probe utilizes solar panels for power generation (generating 600 Watts).
• The DSCOVR spacecraft body measures 1.4 m x 1.8 m (4.6 x 5.9 feet) and with its solar panels extended approx. 5 m (16.5 feet).
• On July 16^th 2015, DSCOVR took several brilliant images of the Moon transiting across in front of the Earth. Another series of incredible images were taken on March 16^th 2016 when the spacecraft imaged the Moons shadow passing across the Earth's surface during a total solar eclipse.
• Several other space-based observatories (notably the enduring SOHO spacecraft) orbit the L₁ point too; monitoring the Sun and space weather in Earth’s vicinity in real-time.