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Solar Physics Laboratory
Operational

Solar Orbiter

Solar Orbiter will provide close-up views of the Sun's polar regions and its back-side and will tune its orbit to the direction of the Sun's rotation as to allow the spacecraft to observe one specific area for much longer than currently possible.

Launch Date
January 2020
Class
Flight Project
Website

The Solar Orbiter is part of the joint ESA-NASA science program Heliophysical Explorers (HELEX). The Solar Orbiter consists of a three-axis stabilized spacecraft equipped with instruments for both in-situ measurements and remote-sensing observations.

Related Publications

2026. "A new method of deriving Doppler velocities for Solar Orbiter SPICE.", Astronomy & Astrophysics, 706 A171 [10.1051/0004-6361/202555756] [Journal Article/Letter]

2026. "Non-LTE analysis of pre-eruptive prominence plasma parameters’ effects on the Lyman β and Lyman γ lines with Solar Orbiter SPICE observations.", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 546 (4): stag222 [10.1093/mnras/stag222] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "Thermal structuring of the quiet solar corona.", Astronomy and Astrophysics, 700 A247 [10.1051/0004-6361/202452955] [Journal Article/Letter]

2026. "Analysis of Lyman β and Lyman γ lines in a pre-eruptive and eruptive prominence with Solar Orbiter SPICE observations.", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 546 (3): stag104 [10.1093/mnras/stag104] [Journal Article/Letter]

2026. "Spatial variation of energy transport mechanisms within solar flare ribbons.", Nature Astronomy, [10.1038/s41550-025-02747-9] [Journal Article/Letter]