Solar Orbiter
vehicleSolar Orbiter is a solar observation spacecraft developed by ESA and NASA.
Launched on February 10, 2020, Solar Orbiter is designed to study the Sun from unique perspectives. It features 21 sensors for in-situ and remote-sensing experiments, enabling comprehensive studies of solar wind and its origins. The spacecraft is a three-axis stabilized platform equipped with a dedicated heat shield to protect it from intense solar radiation.
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- Solar Orbiter communicates via Goonhilly antenna
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Solar Orbiter phones home via commercial deep space antenna
Solar Orbiter successfully communicated with ESA mission controllers via a Goonhilly Earth Station deep space antenna during recent tests. This collaboration enhances ESA's capacity for data downlink, particularly for missions like BepiColombo and Juice. Goonhilly's 32 m antenna supports various missions, including NASA's Artemis program, showcasing the growing role of commercial ground stations in deep space exploration.