Hinode

Solar-B

The Solar-B mission, now known as Hinode, was launched in September 2006, carrying instruments developed by Japan, the USA and the UK. Building on the highly successful SOHO and YohKoh solar missions, Hinode (link opens in a new window) has imagers that can map the magnetic fields at the solar surface and resolve the structure and evolution of the different layers of the solar atmosphere with unprecedented high-resolution.

The Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Sepctrometer (EIS) (link opens in a new window)was built by an international consortium led by the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (UK).

EIS measures spectral emissions lines in order to accurately diagnose the conditions in the solar plasma at a pixel size of 750 km on the solar surface. RAL scientists are using the data to better understand the Sun's atmosphere and its effect on Earth. RAL Space was a key player in the development of EIS, providing assembly, integration and test facilities, with particular responsibility for cleanliness and contamination control.

RAL Space is also responsible for the vital radiometric calibration of EIS and for software for operations planning and support.