Accommodation of the Solar X-Ray Imager (SXI) on the GOES 12 spacecraft

Frank Zimmermann; Gerald Zwirn; Martin A. Davis

doi:10.1117/12.517107

4 February 2004 Accommodation of the Solar X-Ray Imager (SXI) on the GOES 12 spacecraft

Frank Zimmermann, Gerald Zwirn, Martin A. Davis

Proceedings Volume 5171, Telescopes and Instrumentation for Solar Astrophysics; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.517107
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

GOES-12, the last of the GOES-8/9/10/11/12 series of spacecraft was modified to accommodate a Solar X-Ray Imager (SXI). Previous GOES spacecraft X-ray sensors provide only average numerical data flux values. The modifications required to accommodate the SXI impacted nearly every subsystem on the spacecraft. The SXI on GOES-12 has provided the first Solar X-Ray images taken from geostationary orbit. Full-disk solar X-ray images can be collected at approximately one-minute intervals. A combination of exposure time and filter selection will allow the exploration of the full range of solar X-ray features to be covered, including coronal holes, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. The successive integration of the SXI into the GOES-12 X-Ray Positioner, Solar Array Yoke, and Solar Array was accomplished with common test and handling processes. Using the same procedures in both the high bay and thermal vacuum chamber facilities minimized the risk in handling and testing this one of a kind instrument. The GOES-12 spacecraft design incorporated an innovative means to provide a stable sun-pointing platform. The double step "deadbeat" stepping profile actively damps out Solar Array vibrations caused by tracking the Sun with the Solar Array and provides the stability to obtain the detailed images that are displayed on the NOAA/SEC GOES Solar X-ray Imager Web-site, http://www.sec.noaa.gov/sxi/latest.html.

Citation Download Citation

Frank Zimmermann, Gerald Zwirn, and Martin A. Davis "Accommodation of the Solar X-Ray Imager (SXI) on the GOES 12 spacecraft", Proc. SPIE 5171, Telescopes and Instrumentation for Solar Astrophysics, (4 February 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.517107

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