NASA - Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) patch.
July 19, 2013
Wednesday at 11:14 pm PDT (2:14 pm EDT) the IRIS Lockheed Martin instrument team successfully opened the door on NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph, which launched June 27, 2013, aboard a Pegasus XL rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
Image above: In its first major milestone since launch, the IRIS team opened the telescope door on July 17, 2013. The telescope door is the circular white object on the far left of this graphic. Image Credit: NASA Goddard.
A 60-day check out period began at launch. The first 30 days, which ends July 27, consists of tests and spacecraft system checks. The team will use the remaining 30 days for initial observing runs to fine tune instrument observations. If all is nominal, the team plans to begin normal science mode by August 26.
All data will be available to scientists and the public as soon as the mission begins science operations. The team is looking forward to receiving high-resolution images and spectra soon after first light.
Additional mission updates will be provided as warranted.
For more information about Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/iris/index.html
Image (mentioned), Text, Credits: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Susan Hendrix.
Cheers, Orbiter.ch
