Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) (formerly known as Triana) was originally conceived in the late 1990s as a NASA Earth science mission that would provide a near continuous view of Earth and measure Earth’s complete albedo. The mission was canceled and the satellite was put into storage in 2001. NOAA and the USAF had DSCOVR removed from storage and tested in 2008, and the same year the Committee on Space Environmental Sensor Mitigation Options (CSESMO) determined that DSCOVR was the optimal solution for meeting NOAA and USAF space weather requirements as well as NASA’s Earth science needs.

From its L1 position, DSCOVR will typically be able to provide 15 to 60 minute warning time before the surge of particles and magnetic field, known as a coronal mass ejection (or CME), associated with a geomagnetic storm reaches Earth. DSCOVR data will also be used to improve predictions of geomagnetic storm impact locations. Our national security and economic well-being, which depend on advanced technologies, are at risk without these advanced warnings. Some NASA Earth science sensors also rely on space weather data to protect sensitive components.

The ASDC hosts the data from the two DSCOVR Earth science sensors.

The production and calibration of DSCOVR EPIC and NISTAR data is on-going.  EPIC RGB images are publicly available through http://epic.gsfc.nasa.gov.