Sun Planets and Moons ID: 3364

STEREO's Routes to Solar Orbits

Visualizations by Tom Bridgman Released on February 7, 2007

The two STEREO spacecraft, A (red path) and B (yellow path), are launched from the Earth into a highly eccentric orbit with an apogee that reaches the orbit of the Moon. Once in this orbit, the trajectories are adjusted so they can receive gravity-assists from the Moon. The gravity assist will send them both into heliocentric orbits, one spacecraft ahead of the Earth and the other behind the Earth.

This trajectory was generated using a spacecraft ephemeris generated shortly after launch.

STEREO A and B speed away from the Earth. Currently their trajectories are too close together to distinguish as separate spacecraft.

STEREO A and B speed away from the Earth. Currently their trajectories are too close together to distinguish as separate spacecraft. This version has no date information.

The spacecraft pass apogee, at the orbit of the Moon. The Moon and it's orbit are represented by the white sphere and green curve.

The spacecraft pass apogee, at the orbit of the Moon. The Moon and it's orbit are represented by the white sphere and green curve. This is the 'no date' version.

STEREO continues in geocentric orbit, waiting for the Moon to reach the optimum position. This is the 'no date' version.

As the Moon passes, STEREO moves behind, receiving a gravitational nudge which increases its speed. This is the 'no date' version.

While STEREO A continues outward, STEREO B doesn't have quite enough speed and curves back Earthward, receiving an extra boost from the Moon.

While STEREO A continues outward, STEREO B doesn't have quite enough speed and curves back Earthward, receiving an extra boost from the Moon. This is the 'no date' version.

Relative to the Earth, STEREO A appears to move towards the Sun while STEREO B moves away from the Sun. The Sun moves into the field of view.

Relative to the Earth, STEREO A appears to move towards the Sun while STEREO B moves away from the Sun. The Sun moves into the field of view. This is the 'no date' version.

By April, 2007, the two STEREO spacecraft have left the Earth and Moon far behind. This is the 'no date' version.

Visualization Credits

Tom Bridgman (Global Science and Technology, Inc.): Lead Animator
Walt Feimer (HTSI): Animator
Therese Kucera (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Michael Kaiser (NASA/GSFC): Scientist

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/3364

Mission:
STEREO

Data Used:

STEREO

The STEREO mission consists of two Sun-observing spacecraft that will travel around the Sun on orbits slightly inside and slightly outside Earth's orbit.

https://stereo.gsfc.nasa.gov

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SSCweb also referred to as: SSCweb ephemerides

Ephemeris - NASA/GSFC Space Physics Data Facility - October 25, 2006 - April 27, 2007

Satellite ephemerides

http://sscweb.gsfc.nasa.gov

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Note: While we identify the data sets used in these visualizations, we do not store any further details nor the data sets themselves on our site.

This item is part of this series:
STEREO Post-Launch

Keywords:
SVS >> Earth
SVS >> HDTV
SVS >> Moon
SVS >> Orbit
SVS >> Stereo Display
SVS >> STEREO
NASA Science >> Sun
NASA Science >> Planets and Moons