Latest News

December 15th 2006: UK solar scientists have been marvelling at the first images returned from the HI camera onboard one of the two NASA STEREO spacecraft. These images are the first to show a wide-field view of the region of space between the Sun and the Earth.
As the spacecraft was manoeuvred into its final orbit, it flew past the moon on Friday 15th and was able to take a series of unique images as it went past.

October 26th 2006: Congratulations to everyone involved with the project, STEREO has now successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida! At 8.52pm on the 25th, local time (EDT) / 1.52am on the 26th (BST), the twin satellites on board the designated Boeing Delta ll rocket were sent into space on their voyage to study the sun in three dimensions.

September 12 2006: The launch of STEREO has now been scheduled for 25th October 2006. The Delta II second stage propellent tank - is being tested. NASA have de-stacked the Delta II and done preliminary testing (ultrasound). They are still planning on dye penetration testing and possibly eddy current testing. If the tank passes the tests then the October 25 launch is viable.

September 4 2006: The launch of STEREO has now been delayed until no earlier than the 18th October at the earliest. "The decision was made to remove the STEREO second stage from the launch vehicle, allowing inspection from inside the propellant tank to verify it is structurally sound for flight. In addition, an electrical checkout of the vehicle is underway due to lightning strikes within a one-third mile radius of Complex 17 during the passing of Tropical Storm Ernesto. The storm had no effect on the STEREO spacecraft."

August 21 2006: The launch of STEREO has now been delayed until the 18th September at the earliest. The additional time is necessary for further evaluation of the Delta II second stage to verify it is structurally sound for flight. This concern arose after further engineering analysis revealed that a similar tank produced for another mission was marginally thin in an area of the oxidizer tank. Engineers are assessing several options for the STEREO launch vehicle at Pad 17-B to determine the thickness of the tank in this same area.

August 4 2006: Currently STEREO is holding schedule for the August 31st launch date. The Delta II rocket 2nd stage for STEREO successfully passed fuel leak check.

July 17 2006: Due to a spacecraft fueling leak the launch has now slipped to the second launch window, the 20th August - 4th September 2006. An exact launch date will be confirmed soon.

July 7th 2006: The SECCHI instruments final testing is done and instruments on the A spacecraft are sealed. We have a minor problem with pre-load on one of the HI B door latches that we will fix on Sunday. At that point we are pretty much along for the ride until we open up on orbit. STEREO Observatory A will move to the Hazardous Processing Facility (HPF) tomorrow to prepare for weighing, fueling, stacking, spin balance, and final weighing.

May 3rd 2006: The two STEREO spacecraft have been delivered to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for final testing and launch preparation.