# Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment

> NASA space observatory

**Wikidata**: [Q54368](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54368)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_Radiation_and_Climate_Experiment)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/solar-radiation-and-climate-experiment

## Summary  
The Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) is a United States‑operated space telescope launched on 25 January 2003 to measure the Sun’s energy output. Managed by NASA and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, SORCE provides critical data for understanding how solar radiation influences Earth’s climate.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 25 January 2003 (PEGASUS rocket)【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Pegasus, an air‑launched rocket built by Orbital Sciences Corporation【source】  
- **Mission type:** Space telescope (instance of “space telescope”)【source】  
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP)【source】  
- **Country:** United States【source】  
- **Spacecraft bus:** Star Bus platform【source】  
- **COSPAR ID / NSSDC ID:** 2003‑004A【source】  
- **Manufacturer:** Orbital Sciences Corporation【source】  
- **Primary focus:** Solar irradiance measurements to support climate research (listed under WikiProject Climate change)【source】  
- **Official website:** <http://lasp.colorado.edu/sorce/>【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was the Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment launched?  
A: SORCE was launched on 25 January 2003 using a Pegasus air‑launched rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Skid Strip.  

### Q: Who operates SORCE?  
A: The mission is jointly operated by NASA and the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) in the United States.  

### Q: What kind of spacecraft is SORCE?  
A: SORCE is classified as a space telescope built on the Star Bus platform and was manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation.  

### Q: What is the primary scientific purpose of SORCE?  
A: SORCE’s purpose is to measure the Sun’s total and spectral irradiance, providing data that help scientists assess the Sun’s influence on Earth’s climate system.  

### Q: Where can I find more information about SORCE’s data and results?  
A: Detailed mission information, data archives, and publications are available on the official website: <http://lasp.colorado.edu/sorce/>.  

## Why It Matters  
Solar radiation is the dominant energy source driving Earth’s climate, yet its variability over time can introduce significant uncertainties into climate models. By delivering precise, continuous measurements of total and spectral solar irradiance, SORCE supplies the scientific community with a reliable baseline for quantifying how changes in solar output affect atmospheric temperature, ozone chemistry, and surface climate patterns. This data underpins improvements in weather forecasting, long‑term climate projections, and the assessment of anthropogenic versus natural climate drivers. Moreover, SORCE’s observations support satellite calibration efforts and help validate ground‑based solar monitoring networks, ensuring consistency across multiple observational platforms. In an era of heightened concern over climate change, the mission’s contributions are essential for informing policy decisions, advancing climate science, and enhancing our understanding of the Sun–Earth connection.  

## Notable For  
- First NASA solar‑irradiance mission launched on an air‑launched Pegasus rocket.  
- Utilizes the versatile Star Bus spacecraft platform, enabling a compact yet highly capable observatory.  
- Provides a continuous, high‑precision record of solar spectral and total irradiance since 2003.  
- Directly supports the WikiProject Climate change by supplying data used in climate‑impact research.  
- Operated collaboratively by NASA and LASP, exemplifying a successful partnership between a federal agency and a research laboratory.  

## Body  

### Overview  
The Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) is a space‑based observatory designed to monitor the Sun’s energy output across a broad range of wavelengths. Its measurements are essential for understanding the Sun’s role in Earth’s climate system.

### Launch and Deployment  
- **Date & Site:** Launched 25 January 2003 from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Skid Strip.  
- **Vehicle:** Pegasus, an air‑launched rocket provided by Orbital Sciences Corporation.  
- **Significant Event:** The launch marked a notable use of Pegasus for a NASA science mission.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Spacecraft Bus:** Star Bus, a modular platform supporting multiple scientific payloads.  
- **Manufacturer:** Orbital Sciences Corporation.  
- **COSPAR / NSSDC IDs:** 2003‑004A, enabling tracking in international space catalogs.  
- **Class:** Classified as a “space telescope,” indicating an instrument optimized for precise photometric observations from orbit.  

### Operations and Management  
- **Operators:** NASA in partnership with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP).  
- **Country of Origin:** United States.  
- **Mission Duration:** Ongoing data collection since launch, with continuous instrument calibrations performed on‑orbit.  

### Data Products and Impact  
- **Primary Measurements:** Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) and Spectral Solar Irradiance (SSI) across ultraviolet, visible, and infrared bands.  
- **Scientific Use:** Data are incorporated into climate models, satellite calibration routines, and solar physics research.  
- **Accessibility:** All data are publicly available through the mission’s website and NASA’s data archives.  

### Legacy and Future Work  
SORCE set a benchmark for solar‑irradiance monitoring, influencing the design of subsequent missions such as the Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS) series. Its long‑term record continues to be a reference point for evaluating solar variability and its climatic effects.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013