Target passed; update pending
The last published target has passed. This does not confirm liftoff, success or cancellation. Check the provider updates below.
Source record updated . This is a source update, not a confirmed launch time.
Check the source: Solar Orbiter prepares for festive Venus flyby ↗ · Launch Library ↗
Target time, not a confirmed liftoff.
Mission
Solar Orbiter, a partnership between ESA and NASA, flew by Venus on 27 December with a closest approach of 7500 km at 12:39 UTC. Throughout its mission it makes repeated gravity assist flybys of Venus to get closer to the Sun, and to change its orbital inclination, boosting it out of the ecliptic plane, to get the best – and first – views of the Sun’s poles.
Recorded timing
This is a mission record, not an upcoming calendar appointment.
Coverage & sources
Links supplied by the mission data provider.
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Mission coverage
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