The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
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Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
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César García, our Solar Orbiter project manager, talks to ESA Web TV about this exciting science mission, scheduled for launch in early 2020 to study our parent star, the Sun. He describes how Solar Orbiter will examine the Sun and the heliosphere – the vast bubble of charged particles blown by the solar wind into the interstellar medium – with a combination of in-situ and remote sensing observations. He also explains the recent vibration tests the spacecraft was subjected to at the IABG National Space Centre in Germany, as well as the next phases in the testing campaign to make sure Solar Orbiter is ready to launch.Solar Orbiter is an ESA-led mission with strong NASA participation.
The spacecraft was built and is being tested by Airbus.
More information: Good vibes for Solar Orbiter