In order to provide the clearest scientific data for its entire 5 year mission, SDO had to undergo a rigorous, 2 month testing phase. After giving it an all-clear, the team of people who designed, built and tested the satellite now have to say goodbye as they hand it over to the scientists who will begin collecting data.

Read more about SDO's handover: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sdo/news/mission-begins.html

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