BackForward Satellite: STEREO-A 

Satellite details
Acronym STEREO-A
Full name Solar-TErrestrial RElations Observatory - B
WIGOS Station Identifier ---
Satellite Description
  • 1st unit of a pair of satellites viewing the Sun from changing positions in the ecliptic.
  • Main missions: Sun process monitoring,
Mass at launch 620 kg Dry mass
Power 475 W
Data access link https://stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov/
Data access information

Data available from NASA/GSFC but gaps in ground coverage significant.
Orbit Ecliptic orbit Altitude
Inclination 23.44 °

 

Space agency NASA
Status Operational
Details on Status
(as available)
  • Contact with the companion STEREO-B, was lost on 1st October 2014.
  • Until Dec 2022: STEREO-A will provide a side view of CME’s which prevents definitive forecast information
  • From Jan 2023 to June 2024: STEREO-A will be near Earth and provide a SOHO/LASCO equivalent view
  • From July 2024 onwards: STEREO-A provides the less definitive side view
Launch 26 Oct 2006 EOL ≥2024
Last update: 2023-04-03
Associated satellite programme and related satellites

Note: red tag: no longer operational , green tag: operational , blue tag : future

Satellite Payload

All known Instruments flying on STEREO-A

Acronym Full name
PLASTIC PLAsma and SupraThermal Ion and Composition
S/WAVES STEREO/WAVES
IMPACT/STE IMPACT / Suprathermal Electron Telescope
IMPACT/SWEA IMPACT / Solar Wind Electron Analyzer
SECCHI/COR-1 SECCHI / Coronagraph imager 1
SECCHI/COR-2 SECCHI / Coronagraph imager 2
SECCHI/HI-1 SECCHI / Heliospheric Imager 1
SECCHI/HI-2 SECCHI / Heliospheric Imager 2
IMPACT/SEP IMPACT / Solar Energetic Particles
IMPACT/MAG IMPACT / Magnetometer
SECCHI/EUVI SECCHI / EUV Imager
Show instrument status and calibration