Mission Summary

Solar Orbiter Exploring our nearest star
Theme	How does the Solar System work?
Primary Goal	To produce images of the Sun at an unprecedented resolution and perform closest ever in-situ measurements
Targets	The Sun
Wavelength	Visible, extreme ultra violet, X-rays
Orbit	Elliptical orbit around the Sun with perihelion as low as 0.23 AU and with increasing inclination up to more than 30° with respect to the solar equator.
Lifetime	6 years (nominal)
Type	M-class mission

Mission home: http://sci.esa.int/solarorbiter

By approaching as close as 48 solar radii, Solar Orbiter will view the solar atmosphere with high spatial resolution and combine this with measurements made in-situ. Over the extended mission periods Solar Orbiter will deliver images and data that will cover the polar regions and the side of the Sun not visible from Earth. Solar Orbiter will coordinate its scientific mission with NASA's Solar Probe Plus within the joint HELEX programme (Heliophysics Explorers) to maximise their combined science return.

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS   ESA announces preliminary payload selection for Solar Orbiter Solar Orbiter Payload AO UPCOMING EVENTS M-class missions presentation event 2009 (1 Dec 2009) HIGHLIGHT 3rd Solar Orbiter Workshop (25-29 May 2009)

NEWS FEED Stay up to date: Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 RSS feed SPECIAL FEATURES   Solar Orbiter Mission Video   Solar Orbiter mission report from 37th COSPAR meeting