View source for Solar Orbiter

{{Short description|European space-based solar observatory}}
{{About|the European Space Agency heliophysics orbiter|NASA's in-situ heliophysics orbiter|Parker Solar Probe}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = Solar Orbiter
<!--image of the spacecraft/mission-->| image = Solar Orbiter ESA20813950.jpg
| image_caption = Artist's impression of the ''Solar Orbiter'' orbiting the Sun
| image_alt = spacecraft in front of the Sun
| image_size = 

<!--Basic details-->
| mission_type = [[Heliophysics]]
| operator = [[European Space Agency|ESA]] / [[NASA]]
| COSPAR_ID = 
| SATCAT = 
| website = {{Official Website}}
| mission_duration = 7 years (nominal)<br/>+ 3 years (extended)<ref name="esa1">{{cite web |title=ESA Science & Technology – Spacecraft |url=https://sci.esa.int/web/solar-orbiter/-/44168-spacecraft |website=sci.esa.int |access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="eoPortal">{{cite web |url=https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/s/solar-orbiter-mission|title=Solar Orbiter Mission|publisher=[[ESA]] eoPortal|access-date=2015-03-17}}</ref><br/>Elapsed: {{Age in years, months and days|year=2020|month=02|day=10}}
<!--Spacecraft properties-->| manufacturer = [[Airbus|Airbus Defence and Space]]
| launch_mass = {{cvt|1800|kg}}<ref name="factsheet">{{cite web |title=Solar Orbiter factsheet |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_factsheet |website=esa.int |access-date=30 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
| BOL_mass = <!--spacecraft mass in orbit at beginning of operational life, after LEOP phase-->
| dry_mass = <!--spacecraft mass in orbit without fuel-->
| payload_mass = {{cvt|209|kg}}<ref name="Instruments">{{cite web |title=ESA Science & Technology – Instruments |url=https://sci.esa.int/web/solar-orbiter/-/51217-instruments |website=sci.esa.int |access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref>
| dimensions = {{cvt|2.5|xx|3.1|xx|2.7|m|ft|0}}<ref name="factsheet"/>
| power = 180 watts<ref name="factsheet"/>
<!--Launch details-->| launch_date = 10 February 2020, 04:03 UTC<ref name="Schedule">{{cite web |title=Launch Schedule – Spaceflight Now |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ |website=spaceflightnow.com |access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref>
| launch_rocket = [[Atlas V]] 411 (AV-087)<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=SOLAR-ORB|title=NASA – NSSDCA – Spacecraft – Details|website=nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov}}</ref>
| launch_site = [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]], [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC{{nbhyph}}41]]
| launch_contractor = [[United Launch Alliance]]
| entered_service = November 2021<br/>(start of main mission)
<!--end of mission-->| disposal_type = <!--Whether the spacecraft was deorbited, decommissioned, placed in a graveyard orbit, etc-->
| deactivated = <!--when craft was decommissioned-->
| destroyed = <!--when craft was destroyed (if other than by re-entry)-->
| last_contact = <!--when last signal received if not decommissioned-->
<!--orbit parameters-->| orbit_reference = [[Heliocentric orbit|Heliocentric]]
| orbit_regime = [[Elliptic orbit]]
| orbit_semimajor = <!--semimajor axis-->
| orbit_eccentricity = <!--orbital eccentricity-->
| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|0.28|AU|AU+e6km+e6mi|abbr=unit|order=out}}<ref name="auto1"/>
| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|0.91|AU|AU+e6km+e6mi|abbr=unit|order=out}}
| orbit_inclination = 24° (nominal mission)<br/>33° (extended mission)
| orbit_period = 168 days
| orbit_epoch = 
| apsis = helion
<!--Telescope parameters-->| instrument_type = <!--converts telescope fields to suit a camera or other similar instrument-->
| telescope_name = <!--name, if different to the satellite-->
| telescope_type = [[Ritchey–Chrétien]] [[reflecting telescope|reflector]]
| telescope_diameter = 160 mm
| telescope_focal_length = 2.5 m
| telescope_area = <!--collecting area-->
| telescope_wavelength = [[Visible light]], [[ultraviolet]], [[X-rays]]
| telescope_resolution = <!--resolution of telescope-->
| instruments_list = {{Infobox spaceflight/Instruments
  | acronym1  = EPD    | name1  = Energetic Particle Detector
  | acronym2  = EUI    | name2  = Extreme Ultraviolet Imager
  | acronym3  = MAG    | name3  = [[Magnetometer]] 
  | acronym4  = METIS  | name4  = Multi Element Telescope for Imaging and Spectroscopy [[Coronagraph]] 
  | acronym5  = PHI    | name5  = Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager
  | acronym6  = RPW    | name6  = Radio and Plasma Waves
  | acronym7  = SolOHI | name7  = Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager
  | acronym8  = SPICE  | name8  = Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment
  | acronym9  = STIX   | name9  = X-ray Spectrometer/Telescope
  | acronym10 = SWPA   | name10 = Solar Wind Plasma Analyser 
 }}
| insignia           = Solar orbiter insignia.png
| insignia_caption   = Insignia for the ''Solar Orbiter'' mission.
| programme          = '''[[Cosmic Vision]]'''
| previous_mission   = [[CHEOPS]]
| next_mission       = [[Euclid (spacecraft)|Euclid]]
| programme2         = '''''[[Living With a Star]]'' program'''
| previous_mission2  = [[Parker Solar Probe|Parker]]
| next_mission2      = 
}}

The '''Solar Orbiter''' ('''SolO''')<ref>[https://www.aip.de/en/research/research-area-cmf/cosmic-magnetic-fields/solar-physics/solar-radio-physics/solo/solar-orbiter-solo Solar Orbiter (SolO).] Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam (AIP). Accessed on 18 December 2019.</ref> is a [[Sun]]-observing [[Space Probe|probe]] developed by the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) with a [[NASA|National Aeronautics and Space Administration]] (NASA) contribution. Solar Orbiter, designed to obtain detailed measurements of the inner [[heliosphere]] and the nascent [[solar wind]], will also perform close observations of the polar regions of the Sun which is difficult to do from Earth. These observations are important in investigating how the Sun creates and controls its heliosphere.

SolO makes observations of the Sun from an eccentric orbit moving as close as ≈60 [[solar radius|solar radii (R<sub>S</sub>)]], or 0.284 [[astronomical unit]]s (au), placing it inside [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]]'s [[perihelion]] of 0.3075 au.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kis.uni-freiburg.de/index.php?id=58&L=1|title=Kiepenheuer-Institut fuer Sonnenphysik: SolarOrbiter PHI-ISS|website=Kis.uni-freiburg.de|access-date=9 August 2018}}</ref> During the mission the orbital inclination will be raised to about 24°. The total mission cost is US$1.5 billion, counting both ESA and NASA contributions.<ref name="launch">{{cite web |title=Atlas launches Solar Orbiter mission |url=https://spacenews.com/atlas-launches-solar-orbiter-mission/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=30 March 2022 |date=10 February 2020}}</ref>

SolO was launched on 10 February 2020 from Cape Canaveral, Florida (USA). The nominal mission is planned until the end of 2026, with a potential extension until 2030.

[[File:Suncomparison.svg|thumb|right|A comparison of the size of the [[Sun]] as seen from [[Earth]] (left, 1 au) and from the Solar Orbiter spacecraft (0.284 au, right)]]
[[File:Solar Orbiter Structural Thermal Model.jpg|thumb|The Solar Orbiter structural thermal model shortly before leaving the [[Airbus Defence and Space]] facility in Stevenage, UK]]

==Spacecraft==
The Solar Orbiter spacecraft is a Sun-pointed, three-axis stabilised platform with a dedicated heat shield to provide protection from the high levels of solar flux near perihelion. The spacecraft provides a stable platform to accommodate the combination of remote-sensing and in situ instrumentation in an electromagnetically clean environment. The 21 sensors were configured on the spacecraft to allow each to conduct its in situ or remote-sensing experiments with both access to and protection from the solar environment. Solar Orbiter has inherited technology from previous missions, such as the solar arrays from the [[BepiColombo]] Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO). The [[solar arrays]] can be rotated about their longitudinal axis to avoid overheating when close to the Sun. A battery pack provides supplementary power at other points in the mission such as eclipse periods encountered during planetary flybys.

The Telemetry, Tracking and Command Subsystem provides the communication link capability with the Earth in X-band. The subsystem supports telemetry, telecommand and ranging. Low-Gain Antennas are used for Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) and now function as a back-up during the mission phase when steerable Medium- and High-Gain Antennas are in use. The High-Temperature High-Gain Antenna needs to point to a wide range of positions to achieve a link with the ground station and to be able to downlink sufficient volumes of data. Its design was adapted from the BepiColombo mission. The antenna can be folded in to gain protection from Solar Orbiter's heat shield if necessary. Most data will therefore initially be stored in on-board memory and sent back to Earth at the earliest possible opportunity.

The ground station at [[Malargüe]] (Argentina), with a {{convert|35|m|adj=on}} antenna, is used for 4 to 8 hours/day (effective). ESA's Malargüe ground station will be used for all operations throughout the mission with the ground stations in [[New Norcia]], Australia, and [[Cebreros]], Spain, acting as backup when necessary.<ref name=esa1/>

==Mission operations==
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| width = 240
| header = Animation of Solar Orbiter's trajectory
| image1 = Animation of Solar Orbiter's trajectory - polar view.gif
| caption1 = Polar view. For more detailed animation, see [[:File:Animation of Solar Orbiter's trajectory - polar view.webm |this video]]
| image2 = Animation of Solar Orbiter's trajectory - equatorial view.gif
| caption2 = Equatorial view
| footer ={{legend2|magenta| Solar Orbiter }}{{·}}{{legend2|Cyan|Mercury}} {{·}}{{legend2|Lime|Venus}}{{·}}{{legend2|RoyalBlue|Earth}}{{·}}{{legend2|Yellow|Sun}}
}}

During nominal science operations, science data is downlinked for eight hours during each communication period with the ground station. Additional eight-hour downlink passes are scheduled as needed to reach the required total science data return of the mission. The Solar Orbiter ground segment makes maximum reuse of ESA's infrastructure for Deep Space missions:

* The ground stations, which belong to ESA's space tracking station network ([[ESTRACK]])
* The Mission Operations Centre (MOC), located at [[ESOC]], [[Darmstadt]], Germany
* The Science Operations Centre (SOC), located at [[European Space Astronomy Centre|ESAC]], [[Villanueva de la Cañada]], Spain
* The communications network, linking the various remotely located centres and stations to support the operational data traffic

The Science Operations Centre was responsible for mission planning and the generation of payload operations requests to the MOC, as well as science data archiving. The SOC has been operational for the active science phase of the mission, i.e. from the beginning of the Cruise Phase onwards. The handover of payload operations from the MOC to the SOC is performed at the end of the Near-Earth Commissioning Phase (NECP). ESA's [[Malargüe Station]] in Argentina will be used for all operations throughout the mission, with the ground stations of [[New Norcia Station]], Australia, and [[Cebreros Station]], Spain, acting as backup when necessary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sci.esa.int/web/solar-orbiter/-/44181-mission-operations|title=ESA Science & Technology – Mission Operations|website=sci.esa.int}}</ref>

During the initial cruise phase, which lasted until November 2021, Solar Orbiter performed two gravity-assist manoeuvres around Venus and one around Earth to alter the spacecraft's trajectory, guiding it towards the innermost regions of the Solar System. At the same time, Solar Orbiter acquired in situ data to characterise and calibrate its remote-sensing instruments. The first close solar pass took place on 26 March 2022 at around a third of Earth's distance from the Sun.<ref name="NASA">{{cite web |title=GMS: Solar Orbiter's Orbit |url=https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/13532 |website=svs.gsfc.nasa.gov |access-date=14 February 2020 |date=27 January 2020}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Solar Orbiter crosses the Earth-Sun line as it heads for the Sun |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_crosses_the_Earth-Sun_line_as_it_heads_for_the_Sun |website=esa.int |access-date=30 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

The spacecraft's orbit has been chosen to be 'in resonance' with Venus, which means that it will return to the planet's vicinity every few orbits and can again use the planet's gravity to alter or tilt its orbit. Initially, Solar Orbiter will be confined to the same plane as the planets, but each encounter of Venus will increase its orbital inclination. For example, after the 2025 Venus encounter, it will make its first solar pass at 17° inclination, increasing to 33° during a proposed mission extension phase, bringing even more of the polar regions into direct view.<ref name="NASA"/>

==Scientific objectives==
The spacecraft makes a close approach to the [[Sun]] every six months.<ref name="factsheet"/> The closest approach will be positioned to allow a repeated study of the same region of the solar atmosphere. ''Solar Orbiter'' will be able to observe the magnetic activity building up in the atmosphere that can lead to powerful [[solar flare]]s or eruptions.

Researchers also have the chance to coordinate observations with NASA's ''[[Parker Solar Probe]]'' mission (2018–2025) which is performing measurements of the Sun's extended [[solar corona|corona]], as well as other ground-based assets such as the [[Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope]].

The objective of the mission is to perform close-up, high-resolution studies of the Sun and its inner [[heliosphere]]. The new understanding will help answer these questions:

* How and where do the [[solar wind]] plasma and [[Sun#Magnetic field|magnetic field]] originate in the [[solar corona|corona]]?
* How do solar transients drive heliospheric variability?
* How do solar eruptions produce [[Solar energetic particles|energetic particle]] radiation that fills the heliosphere?
* How does the [[solar dynamo]] work and drive connections between the Sun and the heliosphere?

== Science results ==
Since the launch of the mission, a series of papers have been released in three special issues of the [[Astronomy & Astrophysics|Astronomy and Astrophysics]] Journal:

*[https://www.aanda.org/component/toc/?task=topic&id=1082 The Solar Orbiter mission]
*[https://www.aanda.org/component/toc/?task=topic&id=1340 Solar Orbiter First Results (Cruise Phase)]
*[https://www.aanda.org/component/toc/?task=topic&id=1717 Solar Orbiter First Results (Nominal Mission Phase)]

Meanwhile, regular "[https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/solar-orbiter/science-nuggets science nuggets]" are released on the [https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/solar-orbiter/home Solar Orbiter science community website].

==Instruments==
The science payload is composed of 10 instruments:<ref name=esa-solar-orbiter>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter|title=Solar Orbiter|publisher=[[European Space Agency]]|access-date=2 August 2018}}</ref>

;Heliospheric in-situ instruments (4)
[[File:Solar Orbiter EAS instrument (Flight Model) (24967051097).jpg|thumb|The flight model of the Electrostatic Analyser System (EAS), which is part of the Solar Wind Analyser (SWA) Suite]]
* SWA – Solar Wind [[Plasma (physics)|Plasma]] Analyser (United Kingdom): Consists of a suite of sensors that measures the ion and electron bulk properties (including density, velocity, and temperature) of the solar wind, thereby characterizing the solar wind between 0.28 and 1.4 au from the Sun. In addition to determining the bulk properties of the wind, SWA provides measurements of solar wind ion composition for key elements (e.g. the C, N, O group and Fe, Si or Mg)<ref name="Instruments"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Owen |first1=C. J. |last2=Bruno |first2=R. |last3=Livi |first3=S.|last4=Louarn |first4=P. |last5=Al Janabi |first5=K. |last6=Allegrini |first6=F. |last7=Amoros |first7=C. |last8=Baruah |first8=R. |last9=Barthe |first9=A. |last10=Berthomier |first10=M. |last11=Bordon |first11=S. |last12=Brockley-Blatt |first12=C. |last13=Brysbaert |first13=C. |last14=Capuano |first14=G. |last15=Collier |first15=M. |last16=DeMarco |first16=R. |last17=Fedorov |first17=A. |last18=Ford |first18=J. |last19=Fortunato |first19=V. |last20=Fratter |first20=I. |last21=Galvin |first21=A. B. |author-link21=Antoinette Galvin|last22=Hancock |first22=B. |last23=Heirtzler |first23=D. |last24=Kataria |first24=D. |last25=Kistler |first25=L. |last26=Lepri |first26=S. T. |last27=Lewis |first27=G. |last28=Loeffler |first28=C. |last29=Marty |first29=W. |last30=Mathon |first30=R. |last31=Mayall |first31=A. |last32=Mele |first32=G. |last33=Ogasawara |first33=K. |last34=Orlandi |first34=M. |last35=Pacros |first35=A. |last36=Penou |first36=E. |last37=Persyn |first37=S. |last38=Petiot |first38=M. |last39=Phillips |first39=M. |last40=Přech |first40=L. |last41=Raines |first41=J. M. |last42=Reden |first42=M. |last43=Rouillard |first43=A. P. |last44=Rousseau |first44=A. |last45=Rubiella |first45=J. |last46=Seran |first46=H. |last47=Spencer |first47=A. |last48=Thomas |first48=J. W. |last49=Trevino |first49=J. |last50=Verscharen |first50=D. |last51=Wurz |first51=P. |last52=Alapide |first52=A. |last53=Amoruso |first53=L. |last54=André |first54=N. |last55=Anekallu |first55=C. |last56=Arciuli |first56=V. |last57=Arnett |first57=K. L. |last58=Ascolese |first58=R. |last59=Bancroft |first59=C. |last60=Bland |first60=P. |last61=Brysch |first61=M. |last62=Calvanese |first62=R. |last63=Castronuovo |first63=M. |last64=Čermák |first64=I. |last65=Chornay |first65=D. |last66=Clemens |first66=S. |last67=Coker |first67=J. |last68=Collinson |first68=G. |last69=D’Amicis |first69=R. |last70=Dandouras |first70=I. |last71=Darnley |first71=R. |last72=Davies |first72=D. |last73=Davison |first73=G. |last74=De Los Santos |first74=A. |last75=Devoto |first75=P. |last76=Dirks |first76=G. |last77=Edlund |first77=E. |last78=Fazakerley |first78=A. |last79=Ferris |first79=M. |last80=Frost |first80=C. |last81=Fruit |first81=G. |last82=Garat |first82=C. |last83=Génot |first83=V. |last84=Gibson |first84=W. |last85=Gilbert |first85=J. A. |last86=de Giosa |first86=V. |last87=Gradone |first87=S. |last88=Hailey |first88=M. |last89=Horbury |first89=T. S. |last90=Hunt |first90=T. |last91=Jacquey |first91=C. |last92=Johnson |first92=M. |last93=Lavraud |first93=B. |last94=Lawrenson |first94=A. |last95=Leblanc |first95=F. |last96=Lockhart |first96=W. |last97=Maksimovic |first97=M. |last98=Malpus |first98=A. |last99=Marcucci |first99=F. |display-authors=1 |last100=Mazelle |first100=C. |last101=Monti |first101=F. |last102=Myers |first102=S. |last103=Nguyen |first103=T. |last104=Rodriguez-Pacheco |first104=J. |last105=Phillips |first105=I. |last106=Popecki |first106=M. |last107=Rees |first107=K. |last108=Rogacki |first108=S. A. |last109=Ruane |first109=K. |last110=Rust |first110=D. |last111=Salatti |first111=M. |last112=Sauvaud |first112=J. A. |last113=Stakhiv |first113=M. O. |last114=Stange |first114=J. |last115=Stubbs |first115=T. |last116=Taylor |first116=T. |last117=Techer |first117=J.-D. |last118=Terrier |first118=G. |last119=Thibodeaux |first119=R. |last120=Urdiales |first120=C. |last121=Varsani |first121=A. |last122=Walsh |first122=A. P. |last123=Watson |first123=G. |last124=Wheeler |first124=P. |last125=Willis |first125=G. |last126=Wimmer-Schweingruber |first126=R. F. |last127=Winter |first127=B. |last128=Yardley |first128=J. |last129=Zouganelis |first129=I. |title=The Solar Orbiter Solar Wind Analyser (SWA) suite |journal=Astronomy & Astrophysics |date=October 2020 |volume=642 |pages=A16 |doi=10.1051/0004-6361/201937259|bibcode=2020A&A...642A..16O |s2cid=224966409 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
* EPD – Energetic Particle Detector (Spain): Measures the composition, timing and distribution functions of suprathermal and energetic particles. Scientific topics to be addressed include the sources, acceleration mechanisms, and transport processes of these particles<ref name="Instruments"/>
* MAG – [[Magnetometer]] (United Kingdom): Provides in situ measurements of the heliospheric magnetic field (up to 64&nbsp;Hz) with high precision. This will facilitate detailed studies into the way the Sun's magnetic field links into space and evolves over the solar cycle; how particles are accelerated and propagate around the Solar System, including to the Earth; how the corona and solar wind are heated and accelerated<ref name="Instruments"/>
* RPW – Radio and Plasma Waves (France): Unique amongst the Solar Orbiter instruments, RPW makes both in situ and remote-sensing measurements. RPW measures magnetic and electric fields at high time resolution using a number of sensors/antennas, to determine the characteristics of electromagnetic and electrostatic waves in the solar wind<ref name="Instruments"/>

;Solar remote-sensing instruments (6)

* PHI – [[Polarimetry|Polarimetric]] and [[Helioseismology|Helioseismic]] Imager (Germany): Provides high-resolution and full-disk measurements of the [[Photosphere|photospheric]] vector magnetic field and line-of-sight (LOS) velocity as well as the continuum intensity in the visible wavelength range. The LOS velocity maps have the accuracy and stability to allow detailed helioseismic investigations of the solar interior, in particular of the solar convection zone high-resolution and full-disk measurements of the photospheric magnetic field<ref name="Instruments"/>
* EUI – Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (Belgium): Images the solar atmospheric layers above the photosphere, thereby providing an indispensable link between the solar surface and outer corona that ultimately shapes the characteristics of the interplanetary medium. Also, EUI provides the first-ever UV images of the Sun from an out-of-ecliptic viewpoint (up to 33° of solar latitude during the extended mission phase)<ref name="Instruments"/>
* SPICE – Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (France): Performs extreme ultraviolet imaging [[spectroscopy]] to remotely characterize plasma properties of the Sun's on-disk corona. This will enable matching in situ composition signatures of [[solar wind]] streams to their source regions on the Sun's surface<ref name="Instruments"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://spice.ias.u-psud.fr/home|title=SPICE on Solar Orbiter official website|date=12 November 2019|website=spice.ias.u-psud.fr|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mps.mpg.de/en/projekte/solar-orbiter/spice/ |title=SPICE - Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment |access-date=11 May 2011 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511231002/http://www.mps.mpg.de/en/projekte/solar-orbiter/spice/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:STIX.jpg|thumb|STIX]]
* STIX – [[Spectrometer Telescope for Imaging X-rays]] (Switzerland): Provides imaging [[spectroscopy]] of solar thermal and non-thermal X-ray emission from 4 to 150 keV. STIX provides quantitative information on the timing, location, intensity, and spectra of accelerated electrons as well as of high-temperature thermal plasmas, mostly associated with flares and/or microflares<ref name="Instruments"/>
*Metis<ref>{{Cite web|title=Metis: the multi-wavelength coronagraph for the Solar Orbiter mission|url=http://metis.oato.inaf.it|access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref> – [[Coronagraph]] (Italy): Simultaneously images the visible and far ultraviolet emissions of the solar corona and diagnoses, with unprecedented temporal coverage and spatial resolution, the structure and dynamics of the full corona in the range from 1.4 to 3.0 (from 1.7 to 4.1) solar radii from Sun centre, at minimum (maximum) perihelion during the nominal mission. This is a region that is crucial in linking the solar atmospheric phenomena to their evolution in the inner heliosphere<ref name="Instruments"/>
* SoloHI – Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager (United States): Images both the quasi-steady flow and transient disturbances in the solar wind over a wide field of view by observing visible sunlight scattered by solar wind electrons. SoloHI provides unique measurements to pinpoint coronal mass ejections (CMEs). (NRL provided)<ref name="Instruments"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.navy.mil/ssd/branches/7630/SoloHI|title=Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI) – Space Science Division|website=Nrl.navy.mil|access-date=9 August 2018|archive-date=9 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809215748/https://www.nrl.navy.mil/ssd/branches/7630/SoloHI|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Institutions involved ===
[[File:Solar Orbiter spacecraft is prepared for encapsulation in the United Launch Alliance Atlas V payload fairing.jpg|thumb|Solar Orbiter spacecraft is prepared for encapsulation in the United Launch Alliance Atlas V payload fairing.]]

The following institutions operate each instrument:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mps.mpg.de/solar-physics/solar-orbiter|title=Solar Orbiter: Mission zur Sonne und inneren Heliosphäre|website=www.mps.mpg.de}}</ref>
* Solar Wind Plasma Analyser (SWA): [[Mullard Space Science Laboratory]]
* Energetic Particle Detector (EPD): [[University of Alcala]], [[University of Kiel]] (CAU)
* Magnetometer (MAG): [[Imperial College London]]
* Radio and Plasma Waves (RPW): [[Observatoire de Paris]]
* Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI): [[Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research]] (MPS), [[Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía]] (IAA)
* Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI): [[Royal Observatory of Belgium]], [[Centre Spatial de Liège]], [[Institut d'astrophysique spatiale]], [[Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research]] (MPS)
* Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE): [[Institut d'astrophysique spatiale]] [[Rutherford Appleton Laboratory]], [[Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research]] (MPS)
* Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX): [[Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz|FHNW]], [[Space Research Centre of Polish Academy of Sciences]], [[Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam|Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam]] (AIP)<ref name=":12">{{cite web|title=Solar Orbiter (SolO)|periodical=Webseite|url=https://www.aip.de/en/research/research-area-cmf/cosmic-magnetic-fields/solar-physics/solar-radio-physics/solo/solar-orbiter-solo|last=Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam|language=en}}</ref>
* Coronagraph (Metis): [[University of Florence]], [[INAF]], [[Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research]] (MPS)
* Heliospheric Imager (SoloHI): [[United States Naval Research Laboratory]]

== Launch and flight ==
=== Launch delays ===
[[File:Solar Orbiter launch closeup.jpg|thumb|The launch of Solar Orbiter from [[Cape Canaveral]] at 11.03pm [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]] on 9 February 2020 (US date)]]
In April 2015, the launch was set back from July 2017 to October 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sci.esa.int/web/solar-orbiter/-/55772-solar-orbiter-launch-moved-to-2018|title=ESA Science & Technology - Solar Orbiter launch moved to 2018|website=sci.esa.int}}</ref> In August 2017, Solar Orbiter was considered "on track" for a launch in February 2019.<ref name='2019Launch'>{{cite web|url=http://www.aircosmosinternational.com/europe-s-solar-orbiter-on-track-for-2019-launch-99097|title=Europe's Solar Orbiter on track for 2019 launch|work=[[Air & Cosmos]]|date=28 August 2017|access-date=19 September 2017}}</ref> The launch occurred on 10 February 2020<ref name="Schedule"/> on an [[Atlas V]] 411.<ref name=esa-summary>{{cite web|url=http://sci.esa.int/solar-orbiter/51168-summary/|title=Solar Orbiter: Summary|publisher=[[European Space Agency|ESA]]|date=20 September 2018|access-date=19 December 2018}}</ref>

=== Launch ===
The Atlas V 411 (AV-087) lifted off from SLC-41 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 04:03 UTC. The Solar Orbiter spacecraft separated from the Centaur upper stage nearly 53 minutes later, and the European Space Agency acquired the first signals from the spacecraft a few minutes later.<ref name="launch"/>

=== Trajectory ===
After launch, Solar Orbiter took approximately 3.5 years, using repeated [[gravity assist]]s from Earth and Venus, to reach its operational orbit, an elliptical orbit with perihelion 0.28 AU and aphelion 0.91 AU. The first flyby was of Venus in December 2020. Over the expected mission duration of 7 years, it will use additional gravity assists from Venus to raise its inclination from 0° to 24°, allowing it a better view of the Sun's poles. If an extended mission is approved, the inclination could rise further to 33°.<ref name="esa1"/><ref name=ESA168>{{cite web|url=http://sci.esa.int/solar-orbiter/51168-summary/|title=ESA Science & Technology: Summar|website=Sci.esa.inty|date=28 February 2018|access-date=20 March 2018}}</ref>

During its cruise phase to Venus, Solar Orbiter passed through the ion tail of Comet [[C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS)]] from 31 May to 1 June 2020. It passed through the comet's dust tail on 6 June 2020.<ref name="ESA20200529"/><ref name="NewAtlas"/>

In June 2020, Solar Orbiter came within {{cvt|77000000|km}} of the Sun, and captured the closest pictures of the Sun ever taken.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sci.esa.int/web/solar-orbiter/-/solar-orbiter-s-first-images-reveal-campfires-on-the-sun | title=Solar Orbiter's first images reveal 'campfires' on the Sun | publisher=ESA | date=16 July 2020 | access-date=23 January 2021 }}</ref>

== Mission timeline ==
[[File:Timeline of Solar orbiter.svg|thumb|left|upright=4|The speed of the probe and distance from the Sun]]
{{-}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Date !! Event !! Distance from the Sun (AU) / a planet (km) !! [[Orbital inclination]]

|-
! colspan="4" style="background-color:lightgrey;" | Cruise Phase
|-
| 15 Jun 2020 || Perihelion #1 || 0.52 || 7.7°
|-
| 27 Dec 2020 12:39 UTC || style="background-color:Gold;" | Venus flyby #1 || 7,500<ref>{{cite web |title=Solar Orbiter prepares for festive Venus flyby |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_prepares_for_festive_Venus_flyby |website=www.esa.int |access-date=9 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref> ||
|-
| 10 Feb 2021 || Perihelion #2 || 0.49 ||
|-
| 09 Aug 2021 04:42 UTC || style="background-color:Gold;" | Venus flyby #2 || 7,995<ref>{{cite web |title=ESA gets ready for double Venus flyby |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/ESA_gets_ready_for_double_Venus_flyby |website=www.esa.int |access-date=9 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref> || 
|-
| 12 Sep 2021 || Perihelion #3 || 0.59 ||
|-
| 27 Nov 2021 || style="background-color:LightBlue;" | Earth flyby || 460<ref>{{cite web |title=Solar Orbiter returns to Earth before starting its main science mission |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_returns_to_Earth_before_starting_its_main_science_mission |website=www.esa.int |access-date=9 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref> ||

|-
! colspan="4" style="background-color:lightgrey;" | Nominal Mission Phase
|-
| 26 Mar 2022 || Perihelion #4 || 0.32 ||
|-
| 04 Sep 2022 01:26 UTC || style="background-color:Gold;" | Venus flyby #3 || 6,000<ref>{{cite web |title=Coronal mass ejection hits Solar Orbiter before Venus flyby |url=https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Operations/Coronal_mass_ejection_hits_Solar_Orbiter_before_Venus_flyby |website=www.esa.int |access-date=9 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref> ||
|-
| 12 Oct 2022 || Perihelion #5 || 0.29 ||
|-
| 10 Apr 2023 || Perihelion #6 || 0.29 ||
|-
| 07 Oct 2023 || Perihelion #7 || 0.29 ||
|-
| 04 Apr 2024 || Perihelion #8 || 0.29 ||
|-
| 30 Sep 2024 || Perihelion #9 || 0.29 ||
|-
| 18 Feb 2025 20:48 UTC || style="background-color:Gold;" | Venus flyby #4 || 379<ref>{{cite web |title=Solar Orbiter ready for close encounter with Venus |url=https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Operations/Solar_Orbiter_ready_for_close_encounter_with_Venus |website=www.esa.int |access-date=28 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 31 Mar 2025 || Perihelion #10 || 0.29 ||
|-
| 16 Sep 2025 || Perihelion #11 || 0.29 ||
|-
| 03 Mar 2026 || Perihelion #12 || 0.29 ||
|-
| 18 Aug 2026 || Perihelion #13 || 0.29 ||
|-
| 24 Dec 2026 23:04 UTC || style="background-color:Gold;" | Venus flyby #5 || 950 || 24°

|-
! colspan="4" style="background-color:lightgrey;" | Extended Mission Phase
|-
| 06 Feb 2027 || Perihelion #14 || 0.28 ||
|-
| 06 Jul 2027 || Perihelion #15 || 0.28 ||
|-
| 03 Dec 2027 || Perihelion #16 || 0.28 ||
|-
| 07 May 2028 || Perihelion #17 || 0.33 ||
|-
| 18 Mar 2028 08:22 UTC || style="background-color:Gold;" | Venus flyby #6 || 350 || 33°
|-
| 04 Oct 2028 || Perihelion #18 || 0.33 ||
|-
| 03 Mar 2029 || Perihelion #19 || 0.33 ||
|-
| 10 Jun 2029 17:47 UTC || style="background-color:Gold;" | Venus flyby #7 || 350 ||
|-
| 11 Aug 2029 || Perihelion #20 || 0.37 ||
|-
| 08 Jan 2030 || Perihelion #21 || 0.37 ||
|-
| 03 Sep 2030 03:03 UTC || style="background-color:Gold;" | Venus flyby #8 || 2650 ||
|-
| 06 Jun 2030 || Perihelion #22 || 0.37 ||
|}
Source:<ref>{{cite web |title=Solar Orbiter perihelia and flybys |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_perihelia_and_flybys |website=www.esa.int |access-date=9 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Marirrodriga |first1=C. García |last2=Pacros |first2=A. |last3=Strandmoe |first3=S. |last4=Arcioni |first4=M. |last5=Arts |first5=A. |last6=Ashcroft |first6=C. |last7=Ayache |first7=L. |last8=Bonnefous |first8=Y. |last9=Brahimi |first9=N. |last10=Cipriani |first10=F. |last11=Damasio |first11=C. |last12=Jong |first12=P. De |last13=Déprez |first13=G. |last14=Fahmy |first14=S. |last15=Fels |first15=R. |last16=Fiebrich |first16=J. |last17=Hass |first17=C. |last18=Hernández |first18=C. |last19=Icardi |first19=L. |last20=Junge |first20=A. |last21=Kletzkine |first21=P. |last22=Laget |first22=P. |last23=Deuff |first23=Y. Le |last24=Liebold |first24=F. |last25=Lodiot |first25=S. |last26=Marliani |first26=F. |last27=Mascarello |first27=M. |last28=Müller |first28=D. |last29=Oganessian |first29=A. |last30=Olivier |first30=P. |last31=Palombo |first31=E. |last32=Philippe |first32=C. |last33=Ragnit |first33=U. |last34=Ramachandran |first34=J. |last35=Pérez |first35=J. M. Sánchez |last36=Stienstra |first36=M. M. |last37=Thürey |first37=S. |last38=Urwin |first38=A. |last39=Wirth |first39=K. |last40=Zouganelis |first40=I. |title=Solar Orbiter: Mission and spacecraft design |journal=Astronomy & Astrophysics |date=1 February 2021 |volume=646 |pages=A121 |doi=10.1051/0004-6361/202038519 |url=https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2021/02/aa38519-20/aa38519-20.html |access-date=9 November 2024 |language=en |issn=0004-6361 |display-authors=1}}</ref>

== Mission Events ==
* April 2012: €319 million contract to build orbiter awarded to Astrium UK<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sci.esa.int/solar-orbiter/50295-esa-contracts-astrium-uk-to-build-solar-orbiter/|title=ESA contracts Astrium UK to build Solar Orbiter|website=Sci.esa.int|date=April 2012}}</ref>
* June 2014: Solar shield completes 2 week bake test<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Engineering_Technology/Solar_Orbiter_s_shield_takes_Sun_s_heat|title=Solar Orbiter's shield takes Sun's heat|website=Esa.int|date=June 2014}}</ref>
* September 2018: Spacecraft is shipped to [[IABG]] in Germany to begin the environmental test campaign<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-45553019|title=Solar Orbiter: Spacecraft to leave UK bound for the Sun|work=BBC News|date=18 September 2018|last1=Amos|first1=Jonathan}}</ref>
* February 2020: Successful launch<ref>{{cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Amy|title=Solar Orbiter launches on historic mission to study the sun's poles|url=https://www.space.com/solar-orbiter-atlas-v-rocket-launch-success.html|website=space.com|date=10 February 2020|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref>
* May–June 2020: Encounter with the ion and dust tails of [[C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS)]]<ref name=ESA20200529>{{cite news|title=Solar Orbiter to pass through the tails of Comet ATLAS|date=29 May 2020|url=http://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESAC/Solar_Orbiter_to_pass_through_the_tails_of_Comet_ATLAS|access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref><ref name=NewAtlas>{{cite news 
|last1=Wood|first1=Anthony|title=ESA'S Solar Orbiter set for unexpected rendezvous with Comet ATLAS|url=https://newatlas.com/space/solar-orbiter-rendezvous-comet-atlas/ 
|access-date=1 June 2020|work=New Atlas|date=29 May 2020}}</ref>
*Jul 2020: First images of the Sun released<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hatfield|first=Miles|date=2020-07-15|title=Solar Orbiter Returns First Data, Snaps Closest Pictures of the Sun|url=http://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2020/solar-orbiter-returns-first-data-snaps-closest-pictures-of-the-sun|access-date=2021-01-15|website=NASA}}</ref>
* December 2021: Flight through tail of Comet C/2021 A1 Leonard<ref>{{cite news|title=Solar Orbiter Spacecraft Catches a Second Comet by the Tail|date=27 January 2022|url=https://scitechdaily.com/solar-orbiter-spacecraft-catches-a-second-comet-by-the-tail/|access-date=1 August 2023}}</ref>
*March 2022: highest resolution image of the Sun’s full disc and outer atmosphere, the corona, ever taken<ref name=sun-photo>{{Cite web |title=Zooming into the Sun with Solar Orbiter |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Zooming_into_the_Sun_with_Solar_Orbiter |access-date=2022-03-29 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref>
*September 2022: Solar Orbiter solves the [[magnetic switchback]] mystery <ref>{{Cite web |title=Solar Orbiter solves magnetic switchback mystery|url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_solves_magnetic_switchback_mystery |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref>
*February 2025: Solar Orbiter leaves [[orbital plane]] of the [[Solar System|solar system]] after successfully completing the 4th [[Venus]] flyby<ref>{{Cite web |last=online |first=heise |date=2025-02-20 |title=After flyby of Venus: Solar Orbiter leaves orbital plane of the solar system |url=https://www.heise.de/en/news/After-flyby-of-Venus-Solar-Orbiter-leaves-orbital-plane-of-the-solar-system-10290214.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=heise online |language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://bsky.app/profile/esaoperations.esa.int/post/3lik6debsmc2y Flyby success! Solar Orbiter swept past Venus last night, using the planet's gravity to adjust its orbit and grant it a new view of the Sun's polar regions. Everything went as planned], ESA Operations Bluesky Account, February 19, 2025</ref>
*On 11 June 2025, the first images and videos of the Sun’s south pole (taken in March 2025) were released. These are the first images of the Sun’s poles taken from outside the ecliptic plane.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Solar Orbiter gets world-first views of the Sun’s poles |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/Solar_Orbiter_gets_world-first_views_of_the_Sun_s_poles |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref>

== Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe collaboration ==
SolO and NASA's [[Parker Solar Probe]] (PSP) missions cooperated to trace solar wind and transients from their sources on the Sun to the inner interplanetary space.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Biondo |first1=Ruggero |last2=Bemporad |first2=Alessandro |last3=Pagano |first3=Paolo |last4=Telloni |first4=Daniele |last5=Reale |first5=Fabio |last6=Romoli |first6=Marco |last7=Andretta |first7=Vincenzo |last8=Antonucci |first8=Ester |last9=Da Deppo |first9=Vania |last10=De Leo |first10=Yara |last11=Fineschi |first11=Silvano |last12=Heinzel |first12=Petr |last13=Moses |first13=Daniel |last14=Naletto |first14=Giampiero |last15=Nicolini |first15=Gianalfredo |last16=Spadaro |first16=Daniele |last17=Stangalini |first17=Marco |last18=Teriaca |first18=Luca |last19=Landini |first19=Federico |last20=Sasso |first20=Clementina |last21=Susino |first21=Roberto |last22=Jerse |first22=Giovanna |last23=Uslenghi |first23=Michela |last24=Pancrazzi |first24=Maurizio |title=Connecting Solar Orbiter remote-sensing observations and Parker Solar Probe in situ measurements with a numerical MHD reconstruction of the Parker spiral |journal=Astronomy & Astrophysics |date=December 2022 |volume=668 |pages=A144 |doi=10.1051/0004-6361/202244535 |display-authors=1|arxiv=2211.12994 }} {{Creative Commons text attribution notice|cc=by4|from this source=yes}}</ref>

In 2022, SolO and PSP planners collaborated to study why the Sun's atmosphere is "150 times hotter" than its surface. SolO observed the Sun from 140 million kilometers, while PSP simultaneously observed the Sun's corona from nearly 9 million kilometers.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Skibba |first1=Ramin |title=A Pair of Sun Probes Just Got Closer to Solving a Solar Enigma |url=https://www.wired.com/story/a-pair-of-sun-probes-just-got-closer-to-solving-a-solar-enigma/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=30 March 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230920125049/https://www.wired.com/story/a-pair-of-sun-probes-just-got-closer-to-solving-a-solar-enigma/ |archive-date=20 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Telloni |first1=Daniele |last2=Romoli |first2=Marco |last3=Velli |first3=Marco |last4=Zank |first4=Gary P. |last5=Adhikari |first5=Laxman |last6=Downs |first6=Cooper |last7=Burtovoi |first7=Aleksandr |last8=Susino |first8=Roberto |last9=Spadaro |first9=Daniele |last10=Zhao |first10=Lingling |last11=Liberatore |first11=Alessandro |last12=Shi |first12=Chen |last13=De Leo |first13=Yara |last14=Abbo |first14=Lucia |last15=Frassati |first15=Federica |last16=Jerse |first16=Giovanna |last17=Landini |first17=Federico |last18=Nicolini |first18=Gianalfredo |last19=Pancrazzi |first19=Maurizio |last20=Russano |first20=Giuliana |last21=Sasso |first21=Clementina |last22=Andretta |first22=Vincenzo |last23=Da Deppo |first23=Vania |last24=Fineschi |first24=Silvano |last25=Grimani |first25=Catia |last26=Heinzel |first26=Petr |last27=Moses |first27=John D. |last28=Naletto |first28=Giampiero |last29=Stangalini |first29=Marco |last30=Teriaca |first30=Luca |last31=Uslenghi |first31=Michela |last32=Berlicki |first32=Arkadiusz |last33=Bruno |first33=Roberto |last34=Capobianco |first34=Gerardo |last35=Capuano |first35=Giuseppe E. |last36=Casini |first36=Chiara |last37=Casti |first37=Marta |last38=Chioetto |first38=Paolo |last39=Corso |first39=Alain J. |last40=D’Amicis |first40=Raffaella |last41=Fabi |first41=Michele |last42=Frassetto |first42=Fabio |last43=Giarrusso |first43=Marina |last44=Giordano |first44=Silvio |last45=Guglielmino |first45=Salvo L. |last46=Magli |first46=Enrico |last47=Massone |first47=Giuseppe |last48=Messerotti |first48=Mauro |last49=Nisticò |first49=Giuseppe |last50=Pelizzo |first50=Maria G. |last51=Reale |first51=Fabio |last52=Romano |first52=Paolo |last53=Schühle |first53=Udo |last54=Solanki |first54=Sami K. |last55=Straus |first55=Thomas |last56=Ventura |first56=Rita |last57=Volpicelli |first57=Cosimo A. |last58=Zangrilli |first58=Luca |last59=Zimbardo |first59=Gaetano |last60=Zuppella |first60=Paola |last61=Bale |first61=Stuart D. |last62=Kasper |first62=Justin C. |title=Coronal Heating Rate in the Slow Solar Wind |journal=The Astrophysical Journal Letters |date=1 September 2023 |volume=955 |issue=1 |pages=L4 |doi=10.3847/2041-8213/ace112 |doi-access=free |arxiv=2306.10819 |bibcode=2023ApJ...955L...4T |display-authors=1}}</ref>

In March 2024, both space probes were at their closest approaches to the Sun, PSP at 7.3 million km, and SolO at 45 million km. SolO observed the Sun, while PSP sampled the plasma of the solar wind, allowing scientists to compare data from both probes.<ref>{{cite web |title=ESA and NASA team up to study solar wind |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter/ESA_and_NASA_team_up_to_study_solar_wind |website=www.esa.int |access-date=30 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

== Outreach ==
Solar Orbiter news are regularly updated and listed in the [https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter official ESA public pages], as well as on the [https://bsky.app/profile/esaoperations.esa.int Bluesky] and [https://twitter.com/ESASolarOrbiter Twitter/X account]. Images taken by the spacecraft with various instruments can be found on the [https://www.flickr.com/photos/esa_solarorbiter/ official Flickr account].

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode=packed heights=200>
PHI's view of the Sun in visible light.jpg|PHI's view of the Sun in visible light
EUI s view of the Sun in UV light.jpg|EUI's view of the Sun in UV light
PHI's map of the Sun s magnetic field.jpg|PHI's map of the Sun's magnetic field
PHI's velocity map of the Sun s surface.jpg|PHI's velocity map of the Sun's surface
File:Solar Orbiter s world-first views of the Sun s south pole.png|The collage of SoLO's view of the Sun's south pole on 16–17 March 2025, from a viewing angle of around 15° below the solar equator.
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Outer space|Solar System|Stars}}
* [[List of heliophysics missions]]
* [[List of European Space Agency programmes and missions]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter New ESA Solar Orbiter homepage (from December 2020)]
* [http://sci.esa.int/solarorbiter Old ESA Solar Orbiter homepage (to December 2020)]
* [https://www.aanda.org/component/toc/?task=topic&id=1082 Special issue on "The Solar Orbiter Mission"] in ''[[Astronomy & Astrophysics]]''
* [https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/s/solar-orbiter-mission Solar Orbiter at eoPortal]
* [http://metis.oato.inaf.it METIS instrument homepage]
* [https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/science/solar_orbiter_media_kit.pdf Media Kit – overview of mission]

{{Sun spacecraft}}
{{Venus spacecraft}}
{{Space observatories}}
{{Solar System probes}}
{{ESA projects}}
{{Orbital launches in 2020}}
{{2020 in space}}
{{Portal bar|Spaceflight}}

[[Category:Missions to the Sun]]
[[Category:European Space Agency space probes]]
[[Category:Solar space observatories]]
[[Category:NASA space probes]]
[[Category:Solar telescopes]]
[[Category:Space probes launched in 2020]]
[[Category:Living With a Star]]
[[Category:Cosmic Vision]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched by Atlas rockets]]
[[Category:February 2020 in the United States]]