ESA Science & Technology - Solar Orbiter
Fact Sheet
News
News
Solar Orbiter releases first data to the public
ESA has released its first Solar Orbiter data to the scientific community and the wider public. The instruments contributing to this data release come from the suite of in-situ instruments that measure the conditions surrounding the spacecraft.
Solar Orbiter's first images reveal 'campfires' on the Sun
The first images from Solar Orbiter, a new Sun-observing mission by ESA and NASA, have revealed omnipresent miniature solar flares, dubbed 'campfires', near the surface of our closest star.
Solar Orbiter ready for science despite COVID-19 setbacks
ESA's Solar Orbiter has successfully completed four months of painstaking technical verification, known as commissioning. Despite the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the spacecraft is now ready to begin performing science as it continues its cruise towards the Sun.
Solar Orbiter makes first close approach to the Sun
ESA's Sun-exploring mission Solar Orbiter has made its first close approach to the Sun on 15 June, getting as close as 77 million km to the star's surface, about half the distance between the Sun and Earth.
Solar Orbiter to pass through the tails of Comet ATLAS
ESA's Solar Orbiter will cross through the tails of Comet ATLAS during the next few days. Although the recently launched spacecraft was not due to be taking science data at this time, mission experts have worked to ensure that the four most relevant instruments will be switched on during the unique encounter.
Watch online
Watch online
Replay: Solar Orbiter first image release
Watch a replay of the press briefing from 16 July with Solar Orbiter mission experts, who presented the unique first images from ESA's new Sun-observing spacecraft.
Solar Orbiter Launch
Solar Orbiter Launch
Solar Orbiter launch replay
Watch a replay of the live coverage of the launch of Solar Orbiter, ESA's new Sun-exploring spacecraft, which will look at our parent star from a completely new perspective. The spacecraft was launched by the US Atlas V 411 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on 10 February 2020.
Spotlight on ...
Spotlight on ...
Solar Orbiter launch media kit
Download this interactive media kit to learn more about the launch of Solar Orbiter in February 2020 and the science goals of the mission.
Solar Orbiter's journey around the Sun
Animation showing the trajectory of Solar Orbiter around the Sun, highlighting the gravity assist manoeuvres that will enable the spacecraft to change inclination to observe the Sun from different perspectives.
Spacecraft Testing
Spacecraft Testing
#5: Electric and magnetic fields under control for Solar Orbiter
An important stage in the development of ESA's Solar Orbiter mission was completed between May and June, when a series of tests to validate the electromagnetic compatibility and magnetic properties was carried out on the spacecraft's flight model.
#4: Simulating zero gravity
#3: Good vibes for Solar Orbiter
Featured Publications
Featured Publications
ESA BR-345: Solar Orbiter - Facing the Sun
Solar Orbiter is a mission dedicated to solar and heliospheric physics. It will address big questions in Solar System science to help us understand how the Sun creates and controls the heliosphere. The spacecraft will provide close-up, high-latitude observations of the Sun to gain new information about the solar wind, the heliospheric...