OSO 1, 2, C, 3, 4, 5, 6

The Mission of the OSO (Orbital Solar Observatory) satellites was to return data on the ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma ray emissions of the sun and galaxy.

OSO featured a dual-spin design that permitted various instruments of the payload to be pointed accurately at the sun while others scanned the galaxy for scientific data.

Sun sensors connected to servo-feedback systems on the upper "sail" portion were designed to keep the pointed instruments (75 pound payload) to within +/- 1 minute of arc on the center of the sun. The lower spinning portion carried some 100 pounds of instruments and rotated once every two seconds, allowing those instruments to scan the solar disk and atmosphere. The OSO had three protruding arms that extended after deployment which gave the system greater axial stability. Among many observations by the battery of instruments on OSO was that the sun's corona had openings, now called coronal holes, which were interpreted as huge fast-moving bubbles rising through the corona.

It also made the first satellite observations of "Gegenschein", and the first orbital observations of the solar corona and complex solar magnetic fields, as well as their relationship to solar activities.

Last update: 27.09.2009
Contact: gunter.krebs@skyrocket.de
© Gunter Dirk Krebs