SORCE
Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment
Studied the Sun and its influence on humankind

SORCE was a NASA-sponsored satellite mission that provided state-of-the-art measurements of incoming x-ray, ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, and total solar radiation. The measurements provided by SORCE specifically address long-term climate change, natural variability and enhanced climate prediction, and atmospheric ozone and UV-B radiation. These measurements are critical to studies of the Sun; its effect on our Earth system; and its influence on humankind. The SORCE mission ended on February 25, 2020 after completing more than 17 years of excellent observations.
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Launch Date: January 25, 2003
Decommission Date: February 25, 2020
Mission Duration: 17 years
Lead Institution: LASP
Lead Funding Agency: NASA
Partners: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Naval Research Laboratory
SORCE measures the Sun’s output with the use of state-of-the-art radiometers, spectrometers, photodiodes, detectors, and bolometers engineered into instruments mounted on a satellite observatory. The SORCE satellite orbits around the Earth accumulating solar data. Spectral measurements identify the irradiance of the Sun by characterizing the Sun’s energy and emissions in the form of color that can then be translated into quantities and elements of matter. Data obtained by the SORCE experiment will be used to model the Sun’s output and to explain and predict the effect of the Sun’s radiation on the Earth’s atmosphere and climate.
SORCE carried four LASP provided instruments including the Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM), Solar Stellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE), Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM), and the XUV Photometer System (XPS).
The LASP mission operations team provided commanding, telemetry, downlink for the SORCE spacecraft and all instruments for 17 years of the SORCE mission.
The LASP SORCE Science Data System (SDS) performed all science data production activities. It consists of the hardware and software components necessary to generate, manage, and distribute all SORCE standard science data products.
The SORCE data is provided through the LASP Interactive Solar Irradiance Data Center.