Picard solar-observation mission
Picard combined measurements of solar diameter and shape with total and spectral irradiance and helioseismology. Its instruments linked changes in solar structure and activity with changes in radiated energy. The mission paired orbital measurements with ground observations and modeling to study solar variability and its influence on Earth’s atmosphere and climate. CNES developed the spacecraft and ground system, with French, Swiss and Belgian instrument partners.
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Identity
- Aliases
- PICARDPicard solar mission
- Name
- Picard solar-observation mission
- Status
- completed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Picard combined measurements of solar diameter and shape with total and spectral irradiance and helioseismology. Its instruments linked changes in solar structure and activity with changes in radiated energy. The mission paired orbital measurements with ground observations and modeling to study solar variability and its influence on Earth’s atmosphere and climate. CNES developed the spacecraft and ground system, with French, Swiss and Belgian instrument partners.
- Destination
- Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit for solar imaging, irradiance measurements and helioseismology
- End Date
- 2014-04-04
- Outcome
- Picard operated from June 2010 until April 4, 2014, acquiring more than a million solar images alongside irradiance and other measurements. Its extended record remained a subject of scientific analysis after spacecraft operations ended.
- Programs
- -
- Start Date
- 2010-06-15
- Vehicle Families
Links
- Official Url
- https://cnes.fr/en/projects/picard
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:52:26 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:52:26 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles