Stereo Satellite Launched!
11/09/2006
AASC fabricated the two antenna reflectors that are found on NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatories (STEREO) spacecraft that was launched on October 25, 2006. This is a prime example of AASC's contribution to scientific discovery.
The satellite underwent final testing at NASA Goddard and is performing the third mission in NASA's Solar Terrestrial Probes program. The nearly identical satellite pair were launched at the same time and will send back 3-D images of the coronal mass ejections (CMEs), powerful eruptions on the sun. The satellites function as a pair, hence the name "Stereo", offsetting each other to create depth perception. Positioning a satellite on either side of the Earth's orbit creates these 3D images.
This will help scientists understand the activity of the sun, and to forecast magnetic storms, and take preventative measures, avoiding radiation doses to airline crews, and communication difficulties between aircraft and base.