Solar Dynamics Observatory

We saw parts of the Solar Dynamics Observatory being assembled and tested in several locations. The SDO will observe the sun, returning many high-resolution (4096 x 4096 pixel) images each day -- the press releases tout a "1.5 terabyte" downlink each day.

The SDO "Media Resources" page contains a number of links to additional resources.

Originally planned for launch in 2008, it finally launched on February 11, 2010, 10:23 am EST on an Atlas V from SLC 41 at Cape Canaveral.