SOLCON SOLAR-CONSTANT OBSERVATIONS FROM THE ATLAS MISSIONS

The solar constant observations obtained by the SOLCON/ATLAS experimen t during the three successive missions are presented based on the Spac e Absolute Radiometric Reference (SARR) defined during the ATLAS-2 mis sion. The objectives of SOLCON, namely to obtain accurate measurements of the solar constant and to compare them with the observations obtai ned from free flyers in the hope of establishing a baseline and strate gy for monitoring the solar constant at climate scale, have been achie ved successfully with the three ATLAS missions. The long range objecti ve of insuring the solar constant data continuity will, however, requi re that an alternative approach than that of the ATLAS program be foun d to fly and retrieve SOLCON.