After launch, SDO was put into an initial elliptical orbit. At given times during the subsequent weeks the satellite's thrusters were used to push the orbit to a greater distance from the Earth, applying the Hohmann transfer theories.
After a number of these small transfers, the final orbit, at a distance of 35,300 km, was achieved on Tuesday March 16, 2010. This means that the testing of the observational equipment (see prior post) can begin prior to going live hopefully sometime in April.
For a timeline of the transfer orbit maneuvers and the subsequent optics testing, see the SDO Launch and Early Operations blog.
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