Six years of SOLAR/SOLSPEC mission on ISS. Achievements and prospects.


March 10 to 12, 2015
Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, Brussels, Belgium

SOLAR/SOLSPEC is an absolute calibrated spectroradiometer measuring the Solar Spectral Irradiance (SSI) from space, part of the SOLAR payload of the Columbus module on board of the International Space Station (ISS). The current SOLAR mission is ongoing since 2008.

The aim of this workshop is to present the achievements of the space experiment SOLAR/SOLSPEC regarding measurements and data processing, to discuss the next phase of the SOLAR mission (until 2017) and scientific needs. Different topics will be addressed:

  • A review of the SOLAR/SOLSPEC design for the long-term mission, the pre-flight radiometric characterization and absolute calibration and the in-flight performances since 2008.
  • Assessment of the level 1 science deliverables in the UV, VIS and IR, including actual comparisons with other instruments & modelling (intercycle reference spectrum, long time series during the current solar cycle, solar variability).
  • Discussion on the need of time-resolved SSI data in Chemistry-Climate Models.
  • Strategy of measurements for the next years and assessment of the demands from the science community: SOLAR/SOLSPEC – SORCE comparisons, stratospheric ozone modelling, delivery of reference spectra.