Solar Orbiter makes first close approach to the sun

ESA's sun-exploring mission Solar Orbiter has made its first close approach to the star on June 15, getting as close as 77 million kilometers to its surface, about half the distance between the sun and Earth.

In the week following this first perihelion, the point in the orbit closest to the sun, the mission scientists will test the spacecraft's ten science instruments, including the six telescopes on-board, which will acquire close-up images of the sun in unison for the first time.

According to ESA's Solar Orbiter Project Scientist Daniel Müller, the images, to be released in mid-July, will be the closest images of the sun ever captured.

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On June 15, 2020, ESA’s new Sun-explorer Solar Orbiter reached its first perihelion, the point on its orbit closest to the Sun.

Equinox Graphics presents an update of the Solar Orbiter mission animation, to reflect the updated configuration as it competes with other high profile ESA missions for the final commissioning decision.