NASA collaborated with the European Space Agency in order to launch the Solar Orbiter on a research mission to the poles of the sun. The two organizations launched the Solar Orbiter on February 9th onboard an Atlas V rocket. It will be approximately two years until the Solar orbiter will be close enough to study the sun.
The mission will compile data related to the Sun's magnetic field, atmosphere flares and other points of interest.
Thomas Zurbuchen, a NASA associate administrator, spoke about the mission, "Together with our European partners, we're entering a new era of heliophysics that will transform the study of the Sun and help make astronauts safer as they travel on Artemis program missions to the Moon."
Solar Space Missions
NASA and the ESA Launched the Solar Orbiter to Study the Sun's Poles
Trend Themes
1. Solar Orbiter Mission - The Solar Orbiter mission will uncover data related to the sun's magnetic field, atmosphere flares and other points of interest.
2. Heliophysics Research - Collaborative research on the sun's magnetic field and atmosphere flares will provide new insights to predict and mitigate space weather impacts to our technological infrastructure.
3. Exploration of the Solar System - The successful launch of the Solar Orbiter mission sets a precedent for more investment in exploring our solar system to discover new horizons and advance scientific understanding.
Industry Implications
1. Aerospace and Defense - The successfully launched Solar Orbiter mission will increase investments in scientific research in the aerospace and defense industries.
2. Renewable Energy - Solar space missions, such as the Solar Orbiter mission, provide invaluable data to advance renewable energy technologies and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
3. Scientific Research - The Solar Orbiter mission will fuel scientific advancements and provide new avenues for research in fields such as astrophysics, heliophysics, chemistry and plasma physics.