Solar Orbiter

ESA/NASA2020Sun observationAtlas VEurope/USA

AgencyESA/NASA

Year2020

TypeSun observation

RocketAtlas V

CountryEurope/USA

About the Mission

The first mission to image the Sun up close, including its poles. Flew inside the orbit of Mercury with a heat shield facing 13 times the solar intensity of Earth. Captured the first ever views of the solar poles in 2025. Works alongside Parker Solar Probe to explain the solar wind. Launched from Cape Canaveral in February 2020.

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