Sunrise III: Preparing for the Flight

Sunrise III is currently taking shape in the cleanrooms at MPS. A new launch is scheduled for summer of 2024.

June 29, 2022

Communications Test I

During the communications test the various communication in-flight channels including the satellite link are tested. This mus take place outside of the balloon hall at Esrange Space Center.
June 29, 2022

Communications Test II

Communications test: Sunrise III arrives at the launch pad for the first time.
June 29, 2022

Herkules and Sunrise III

The launch vehicel Herkules comes to carry Sunrise III to launch pad for the coomunications test.
June 17, 2022

Integration of SIP I

As the launch of Sunrise III draws nearer, team members from NASA`s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility install the System Instrumentation Package (SIP) which establishes communication between the ground station and the observatory during launch, flight and landing.
June 16, 2022

Integration of SIP II

Colleagues from NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility install the SIP.
June 02, 2022

Awaiting Launch

Sunrise III is awaiting launch. However, the world-wide logistic situation has caused delay in helium and balloon shipment. Expected launch date is now mid-June. And our “roommate” XL-Calibur goes first.
May 03, 2022

First Light in Kiruna

Sunrise III’s instruments have seen sunlight for the first time at the launch site.
May 03, 2022

Getting Ready for First Light

At the launch site Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, Sunrise III is preparing for First Light.
May 03, 2022

Peering out of the “Dome”

From inside the “dome”, Sunrise III peers at the Sun.
April 24, 2022

(Almost) Complete Observatory

With the top part of the gondola added, it’s beginning to look like a complete observatory.
April 24, 2022

Installing the Top Part of the Gondola

Colleagues from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory install the top part of Sunrise III’s gondola.
April 24, 2022

Telescope and PFI in the Gondola

With the help of a crane, the telescope and the PFI have been lifted into the gondola.
April 24, 2022

Lifting the Telescope into the Gondola

Team members carefully lift the telescope and the PFI into the gondola.
April 20, 2022

Construction of the Gondola Begins

The first parts of the gondola have been put together.
April 15, 2022

PFI on top of the Telescope

The box holding the postfocal instrumentation has been attached to the top pf the telescope (view from the back of the telescope).
April 15, 2022

Side View: PFI on top of the Telescope

The box holding the postfocal instrumentation has been attached to the top pf the telescope (view from the side).
April 15, 2022

Applying Insulation to the PFI

Two Sunrise III team members apply insulating foil to the top of the large box holding the postfocal instrumentation.
April 15, 2022

Preparing the Insulation

A Sunrise III team member prepares the insulating foil.
April 10, 2022

Optical Tests

The team is performing optical tests of the instruments at Esrange Space Center.
April 10, 2022

Further Optical Tests

More optical tests of the instruments at Esrange Space Center.
April 07, 2022

Hardware under Tents

Sunrise III’s telescope and the box holding the scientific instruments have been unpacked at Esrange Space Center. If you look closely, you can see them – each under their own „party tent“. These have by now been equipped with a plastic covering to keep out the dust.
 
April 07, 2022

Telescope under Clean Tent

Sunrise III’s telescope under the clean tent at Esrange Soace Center.
April 07, 2022

Optical Tests of the Telescope

In these optical tests of the telescope, a laser beam is used ...
April 07, 2022

Interference Pattern

to create an interference pattern revealing tiny deviations as small as 6 nanometers.
April 05, 2022

Hardware Arrives at Launch Site

The trucks with the hardware (telescope, gondola, instruments) have arrived at the launch site, Esrange Space Center in Kiruna (Sweden), and are being unloaded.
April 05, 2022

First Look into the “Dome”

The hardware is mpved into the “dome”, the large hall where in the next weeks the team will prepare for the launch.
April 03, 2022

Almost There

Almost there! On their way to Esrange Space Center in Kiruna (Sweden), the Sunrise III team members from MPS have reached the Arctic Circle...
April 03, 2022

Sunrise III’s “Footprint” at the Arctic Circle

... If you look very closely, you can find the “footprint” they left on the way.

 
April 01, 2022

The Trip to the Launch Site Begins

With the hardware securely packed onto trucks, Sunrise III embarkes on its trip to the launch site at Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden. The onset of winter at MPSGoettingen gave a taste of what to expect at the Arctic Circle.

 
February 23, 2022

Lifting the PFI into BigMäc

With the help of a crane, scientists, engineers, and technicians lift the PFI into the largest thermal vacuum chamber at MPS, lovingly called BigMäc.
February 23, 2022

PFI in the Thermal Vacuum Chamber

A look at the PFI in the thermal vacuum chamber shortly before the chamber is closed. Here the PFI will undergoe tests to make sure, that it can handle the harsh conditions in the stratosphere during the balloon flight.
February 08, 2022

Thermal Insulation for TuMAG

Shortly before TuMAG is integrated into the PFI, thermal insulation is applied.
February 08, 2022

Integration of TuMAG

Before TuMAG is lifted into the PFI, thermal insulation is applied.
February 02, 2022

Reflections

While the Sunrise III team is working to integrate TuMag into the box holding the postfocal instrumentation, this shot from the clean rooms at MPS catches the reflection of two team members on the shiny sides of the box.
January 18, 2022

TuMAG at MPS

Sunrise III’s instrument TuMAG has been unpacked and is beginning to settle in at MPS. After calibrations and testing, it will join the mission’s other instruments in the box holding the postfocal instrumentation.
January 12, 2022

TuMAG arrives at MPS

TuMAG has arrived safely at MPS.
January 10, 2022

TuMAG on its Way to MPS

Securely packed into boxes, Sunrise III's instrument TuMAG leaves the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial in Spain.

 
January 06, 2022

Disconnecting Telescope and Instrumentation I

The new year starts with the disconnecting of the telescope from the instrumentation in the cleanrooms at MPS.
January 06, 2022

Disconnecting Telescope and Instrumentation II

Disconnecting the telescope from the instrumentation is part of the preparations for transporting Sunrise III to Kiruna in March.
December 08, 2021

Disassembly of the Gondola I

With the help of colleagues from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, the gondola is dissasembled at MPS.
December 08, 2021

Disassembly of the Gondola II

With the help of colleagues from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, the gondola is dissasembled at MPS.
December 03, 2021

Optical Tests with TuMag

Last optical tests with Sunrise III‘s instrument TuMag are underway at the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial. The magnetograph is fully assembled and will embark on its journey to MPS next year to unite with the telescope and other instruments.

 
October 28, 2021

Preparing for the Hang Test

Inside the balloon hall at MPS, the Sunrise III team prepares for the hang test. The door of the balloon hall is still closed.
October 28, 2021

A First Peek

The door to the balloon hall opens....
October 28, 2021

The Hang Test Can Begin

The door as been opened, Sunrise III is looking ouside. The pointing test can now begin.
October 28, 2021

Sunrise III during the Hang Test

During the Hang Test Sunrise III faces the Sun. For the first time, sunlight makes its way to the scientific instruments on top of the telescope.
October 28, 2021

The Hang Test as Seen from the Balloon Hall

A view of Sunrise III's backside as it peers at the Sun.
October 28, 2021

Sunlight over Sunrise III during the Hang Test

Sunlight over Sunrise III during the Hang Test
October 28, 2021

Aerial View of the Hang Test

The Hang Test as Seen from an Aerial Perspective
October 28, 2021

Hang Test in Göttingen

Approximately 60 people witnessed the hang test on site in Göttingen.
October 28, 2021

Looking up to Sunrise III

An unusual prespective of the hang test
October 16, 2021

First Pointing Test

Sunlight touches Sunrise III for the first time in order to test the pointing. The telescope's cover is not removed.
October 16, 2021

The Door of the Balloon Hall Opens

The door of the balloon hall opens for the first time.
October 16, 2021

Minutes before the First Pointing Test

Scientists and engineers from MPS and JHUAPL prepare for the first pointing test.
October 11, 2021

Gondola Meets Payload

Carefully and with the help of many hands, Sunrise III’s telescope and scientific instruments are lifted into their position in the partly assembled gondola in the balloon hall at MPS.

 
October 06, 2021

Tilted Telescope

The telescope undergoes last tests before integration into the gondola. During flight it has to be able to remain in any given tilted position to point at the Sun.
October 06, 2021

A Look at the Backside of the Tilted Telescope

The telescope is undergoes last tests before integration into the gondola. During flight it has to be able to remain in any given tilted position to point at the Sun.
October 06, 2021

Backside of the Telescope

Last tests of the telescope before integration into the gondola. The telescope can be tilted with one finger!
October 01, 2021

Arrival of the Gondola at MPS

A crane lifts the container holding the disassembled gondola into place infront of the balloon hall at MPS.
October 01, 2021

Guiding the Container to its "Parking Position"

Carefully, the container holding the disassembled gondola is guided to its parking position infront of the balloon hall at MPS.
September 28, 2021

"Marrying" the PFI and the telescope

Work in progress: The black box holding Sunrise III's post-focal instrumentation (PFI) will soon find it place on top of the telescope.
September 07, 2021

Cutting Insulating Foil

Before the insulating cover for the telescope can be pieced together and sewed, the pieces must be carfeully cut out.
September 07, 2021

Sewing the Insulation

After the cutting, the layers of insulation are carefully sewed into a shape that will fit the telescope.
September 07, 2021

First Fitting

The first fitting of the telescope's insulating cover looks good!
September 03, 2021

Applying Insulation

A member of the SCIP-team from NAOJ applies insulating foil to the optical unit of SCIP in the cleanrooms at MPS.
September 03, 2021

SCIP Hanging from a Crane

With the help of a crane, SCIP's optical unit is lifted to be integrated into the box holding the post-focal instrumentation.
September 03, 2021

Careful, SCIP!

Hanging from a crane in the cleanrooms at MPS, SCIP's optical unit is carefully guided to its slot in the PFI.
September 03, 2021

SCIP's Optical Unit Finds its Place

SCIP's optical unit has been successfully integrated into the PFI.
August 25, 2021

First Optical Tests with SCIP

Remoteley operated – and closely witnessed – by team members from the National Astronomical Observatory in Japan and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía in Spain, SCIP undergoes first optical tests at MPS.

 
August 25, 2021

Optical Tests with SCIP

SCIP undergoes first optical tests at MPS.
August 23, 2021

Virtual Consultations Before Unpacking SCIP

Before unpacking SCIP in the cleanrooms at MPS, there is virtual advice from the colleagues at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía.
August 23, 2021

Unpacking of Boxes with Hardware for SCIP

All SCIP-hardware that was delivered from the National Astronomical Institute of Japan is carefully unpacked.
August 23, 2021

Transport of Boxes into the Cleanrooms

The boxes containing the instrument SCIP are transported into the cleanrooms at MPS
August 23, 2021

SCIP: Removal of Protective Foil

In the cleanrooms, the protective foil that covers SCIP is carefully removed before the instrument is placed on the optical bench.
August 23, 2021

Unpacking SCIP

For the transport, SCIP's hardware parts were sealed in protective foil. Each part is carefully unpacked at MPS.
August 17, 2021

Welcome to MPS, SCIP!

Sunrise III’s instrument SCIP which has been provided by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan has safely arrived at MPS and will be integrated into the box holding the post-focal instrumentation in the next weeks.
 
August 10, 2021

SCIP's departure

Securely packed into boxes, Sunrise III's instrument SCIP (Sunrise Chromospheric Infrared spectroPolarimeter) left the cleanrooms at NAOJ (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan) on August 10th, 2021 and will travel to MPS in Göttingen in the next days.
August 10, 2021

A Box Full of SCIP

Several transprt boxes carrying SCIP embark on the first part of their journey via truck.
August 10, 2021

Bidding SCIP Farewell

Members of the SCIP-team bid their instrument farewell as it starts its long journey from NAOJ in Japan to MPS in Germany.
July 19, 2021

Checking for Contamination

Before integration into the PFI, the instrument SUSI is checked for contaminations.
June 23, 2021

Secondary Mirror Successfully Installed

The secondary mirror of Sunrise III's telescope has been successfully integrated.
June 23, 2021

Masking Tape to Avoid Damage

Before the secondary mirror is integrated into Sunrise III's telescope, all shap edges of the mounting device are masked with tape to avoid damaging the mirror.
June 23, 2021

Preparations for Integrating the Secondary Mirror

Before the secondary mirror is integrated into Sunrise III's telescope, all dust is vacuumed from the mounting device.
June 23, 2021

The Telescope's Main Mirror

Looking past the (still empty) mounting device for the secondary mirror, you can see the main mirror at the far end of the structure. The main mirror has a diameter of 1 meter and weighs approximately 40 kilograms.
June 23, 2021

Selfie in the Main Mirror

If you take a picture straight through the (still empty) mounting device for the secondary mirror, the result is a "reflection selfie" like this one.
June 23, 2021

Backside of the Telescope's Main Mirror

The honey comb-like structure ensures a low weight (only 40 kg) and at the same time enough stability not to deform even slightly – and to survive the parachute landing from a height of 35 km.
June 23, 2021

Detail of Main Mirror

The backside of the telescope's main mirror sports an elaborate honeycomb-like structure.
June 22, 2021

Sunrise III's Telescope Seen from the Backside

Sunrise III's solar telescope is beginning to take shape in the clean rooms. From this perspective, you can see the backside of the main mirror, which has a diameter of 1 meter.
June 16, 2021

A Glimpse of the Telescope

While work on Sunrise III’s instrument SUSI is continuing (in the front), the telescope is beginning to take shape in an adjoining clean room.
May 27, 2021

Sewing the Insulation for SUFI

The balloon hall at MPS was temporarily converted into a “dressmaker’s workshop”: a professional seamstress from Göttingen sewed the multi-layer insulation for SUFI.
 
May 27, 2021

SUFI's Multi-Layer Insulation

SUFI's insulation consists of several layers of Betacloth and aluminized Mylar and will protect the instrument from the harsh environment in the stratosphere.
May 27, 2021

Preparations for Sewing SUFI's Insulation

Among other things, the preparations comprised the careful cutting of the different layers.
May 27, 2021

Preparations for Sewing SUFI's Insulation

Everything starts with a plan!
May 21, 2021

Photometric Calibrations

Performing photometric calibrations of UV LEDs that will later be used to calibrate Sunrise III's SUSI instrument.
May 21, 2021

SUFI is Coming Together

SUSI is really coming together and now officially a functioning spectrometer...
May 21, 2021

SUSI's First Spectrum

… as can be seen by this Mercury spectrum recorded by SUSI in the labs at MPS. The Sun's chromosphere emits light of similar wavelengths.
May 10, 2021

A Look into SUSI's Lower Level

A look into SUSI's lower level which was finished today in the cleanrooms at MPS.
May 10, 2021

Checking for Contamination

After SUSI's lower level was finished, it was checked for contamination using UV light.
May 10, 2021

SUSI in Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet light is used to check SUSI's lower level for contaminations.
May 10, 2021

Preparing to Put the "Lid" on SUSI

This "lid" will close off SUSI's lower level.
May 10, 2021

SUSI's Lower Level Has Received Its "Lid"

The "lid" has been placed on top of SUSI's lower level.
May 10, 2021

Applying Drops of Glue to SUSI

Carefully and painstakingly applied with the help of a nozzle, single drops of glue ensure that during lift-off and flight of Sunrise III the screws of the SUSI instrument don’t come undone and the cabels stay in place.
May 10, 2021

Drops of Glue on Cabels and Screws

Single drops of glue hold screws and cabels of SUSI in place.
May 10, 2021

Drops of Glue Securing the Screws

Single drops of glue secure these screws of the SUSI instrument.
May 10, 2021

Drops of Glue in Ultraviolet Light

In ultraviolet light all these tony drops glow.
April 20, 2021

Eye to Eye with SUSI

Eye to eye with the lower half of what will become SunriseIII’s instrument SUSI (Sunrise UV Spectropolarimeter and Imager). SUSI is currently under construction at MPS. During the flight of Sunrise III, SUSI will image the Sun’s chromosphere in ultraviolet light.
March 19, 2021

Attaching Insulation to PFI's Back Side

Hanging from a crane in the cleanrooms at MPS, Sunrise III’ s box for the post focal instrumentation (PFI) has received its back wall and thermal insulation.
 
March 19, 2021

Attaching Insulation to PFI's Back Side

Hanging from a crane in the cleanrooms at MPS, Sunrise III’ s box for the post focal instrumentation (PFI) has received its back wall and thermal insulation.
 
March 19, 2021

PFI Has Received its Back Wall

Hanging from a crane in the cleanrooms at MPS, Sunrise III’ s box for the post focal instrumentation has received its back wall and thermal insulation.
 
March 12, 2021

Completing the Frame of the PFI

Sunrise III’s box for postfocal instrumentation (PFI) is taking shape at MPS. In the next months, those “shelves” will be filled with science instruments…
March 12, 2021

Completing the Frame of the PFI

Sunrise III’s box for postfocal instrumentation (PFI) is taking shape at MPS. In the next months, those “shelves” will be filled with science instruments…
 
March 02, 2021

Fisheye View of Work on ISLID

Fisheye view of the ongoing work and the Sunrise III Image Stabilization and Light Distribution Unit (ISLiD) in the cleanrooms at MPS. Currently, ISLiD is positioned under a clean tent to ensure an extra clean environment.
 
March 02, 2021

Fisheye View of ISLiD

Fisheye view of the ongoing work and the Sunrise III Image Stabilization and Light Distribution Unit (ISLiD) in the cleanrooms at MPS. Currently, ISLiD is positioned under a clean tent to ensure an extra clean environment.
 
February 24, 2021

CWS Integrated into ISLiD

The Correlating Wavefront Sensor (CWS) has been successfully integrated into Sunrise III's Image Stabilization and Light Distribution (ISLiD) Unit.
February 24, 2021

CWS Integrated into ISLiD

The Correlating Wavefront Sensor (CWS) has been successfully integrated into Sunrise III's Image Stabilization and Light Distribution (ISLiD) Unit.
February 03, 2021

ISLiD is Taking Shape

Step by step Sunrise III‘s Image Stabilization and Light Distribution (ISLiD) Unit is taking shape in the cleanrooms at MPS. During flight, ISLiD will transfer sunlight from the 1m-telescope to the 3 scientific instruments.
February 03, 2021

ISLiD is Taking Shape

Step by step Sunrise III‘s Image Stabilization and Light Distribution (ISLiD) Unit is taking shape in the cleanrooms at MPS. During flight, ISLiD will transfer sunlight from the 1m-telescope to the 3 scientific instruments.
February 03, 2021

ISLiD is Taking Shape

Step by step Sunrise III‘s Image Stabilization and Light Distribution (ISLiD) Unit is taking shape in the cleanrooms at MPS. During flight, ISLiD will transfer sunlight from the 1m-telescope to the 3 scientific instruments.
January 21, 2021

Green Light for TuMag

Sunrise III’s Tunable Magnetograph (TuMag) provided by a consortium led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía during test in the clean rooms at MPS. TuMag will use a green Magnesium line to measure the magnetic fields in the Sun’s chromosphere.
Go to Editor View