RESULTS

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ABOUT DSCOVR

The Deep Space Climate Observatory, or DSCOVR  maintains the nation's real-time solar wind monitoring capabilities by giving advanced warning of extreme emissions from the sun(known as the coronal Mass Ejections of CMEs) , which are critical to the accuracy and lead time of NOAA's space weather alerts and forecasts. Without timely and accurate warnings, space weather events—like geomagnetic storms can affect power grids, communications systems, and satellites close to Earth 

The DSCOVR mission succeeded NASA's Advanced Composition Explorer's (ACE) role in supporting solar wind alerts and warnings from the Lagrange point 1( L1 orbit), which is the neutral gravity point between the Earth and Sun, approximately one million miles from Earth.

Location:

The DSCOVR mission succeeded NASA's Advanced Composition Explorer's (ACE) role in supporting solar wind alerts and warnings from the Lagrange point 1( L1 orbit), which is the neutral gravity point between the Earth and Sun, approximately one million miles from Earth

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Why L1 orbit??

 L1 is a good position from which to monitor the Sun, because the constant stream of particles from the Sun (the solar wind) reaches L1 up to an hour before reaching Earth

From this position, DSCOVR can typically provide 15- to 60-minute advanced warning before a storm of particles and magnetic field, known as a coronal mass ejection (or CME), reaches Earth. DSCOVR data also helps improve predictions of geomagnetic storm impact locations. Our national security and economic well-being, which depend on advanced technologies, are at risk without these advanced warnings.

 

About the structure:

DSCOVR was approximately 570 kg at launch and has dimensions of 54 by 72 inches. The spacecraft bus is equipped with two deployable solar arrays, a propulsion module, boom, and high-gain antenna.