Mission Name STEREO: The Solar-TErrestrial RElations Observatory STEREO Mission Patch LASP Instruments Principal Investigators: Russel Howard & Janet Luhmann Destination Earth Orbit Launch Date July 30th, 2006 Launch Location Kennedy Space Center Launch Vehicle Delta II 7925-10L Mission Duration 2 years Mission Description/ LASP involvement   LASP Divisions Involved Engineering * Science LASP Mission Web Page http://lasp.colorado.edu/~ergun/stereo/index.html Official Mission Web Page http://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov/

The objective of the STEREO mission is to significantly advance the understanding of the three-dimensional (3-D) structure and evolution of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their interaction with the interplanetary medium and terrestrial magnetosphere using combined imaging, radio, and in situ measurements from two identical, stereoscopically-spaced spacecraft. The two-platform vantage will allow the reconstruction of CME genesis, 3-D structure, and propagation, particularly for Earth-directed CMEs. Using these observations, and a concerted modeling effort, STEREO will elucidate the role of ejected mass and magnetic flux and helicity in the physics of solar activity and dynamo action.

Major eruptive events on the sun, such as flares or CMEs, can have a profound influence on the terrestrial environment. CMEs can interact with Earth's magnetosphere to generate major geomagnetic storms and substorms, sometimes affecting communication and power grid systems and accelerating energetic particles that have been known to damage communications satellites and may harm astronauts working in space. Identifying and understanding the physical processes involved and forecasting large Sun-Earth Connection (SEC) events is a major goal of the STEREO mission.

LASP involvement includes antenna design and analog to digital interface with the low-frequency signals. Prof. Robert Ergun will lead the LASP effort.