NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2022-129A
ASO-S aims to conduct simultaneous observations of flares and CMEs "to understand their connections and formation mechanisms," CAS officials wrote in a mission description. The spacecraft will also study how energy is transported through different layers of the sun's atmosphere, and how flare and CME evolution is affected by the solar magnetic field.
ASO-S is designed to operate for at least four years and generate about 500 gigabytes of data daily. This information could end up having considerable practical applications; the CAS explainer lists as a target objective the "observation of solar eruptions and the magnetic field evolution to facilitate forecasting of the space weather and to safeguard valuable assets in space."
Launch Date: 2022-10-08
Launch Vehicle: Long March 2D
Launch Site: Jiuquan, Peoples Republic of China
Mass: 888 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office