Solar Orbiter (SolO)

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Mission details:

• Launch was planned in October 2018, but delaited untill February 2020.
• The ESA-led Solar Orbiter probe, built by Airbus UK, was launched to an escape trajectory on Feb 10, 2020.
  Solar Orbiter will enter a 0.513 x 0.991 AU x 1.9 deg solar orbit and make a Venus gravity assist flyby on Dec 26. After more Venus and Earth flybys it will lower perihelion to about 0.3 AU by 2022 and by 2028 will increase its orbital inclination to the ecliptic to 25 degrees, allow imaging of the solar poles. Unlike Parker Solar Probe (which gets closer to the Sun) SO carries a range of imaging instruments.

External links:

• AmericaSpace: Launch
• AmericaSpace: launch preparation