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The objectives of the Solar Constant (SOLCON) experiment on the
Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS) were: (1)
to measure the absolute value of the solar constant to +/- 0.1%, and
(2) to measure long-term variations in the solar constant. The SOLCON
instrument was an absolute self-calibrating radiometer. The radiometer
had two channels which enabled the detection of and compensation for
any degredation of the black surfaces, and the determination in space
of the self-consistency of the radiometric system. Radiation
measurements were made by using a heat balance system automatically
driven by a feedback system. The two sensors were independently
shuttered. The radiometer produced solar measurements with an accuracy
of better that 0.05 %. The SOLCON instrument was flown on Spacelab 1
and on all three ATLAS missions.
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