The Solar Mesosphere Explorer, launched on October 6, 1981, was a satellite in sun-synchronous orbit. Its primary objective was to determine what changes occur in the ozone distribution as a result of changes in incoming solar radiation.
» More about the satellite and its instruments
» More about the science and objectives of SME
» SME solar irradiance data on LISIRD
SME transmitted data until April 4, 1989, and re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere on March 5, 1991.
Launch Date: October 6, 1981
Decommission Date: April 4, 1989
Mission duration: 7 1/2 years