Solar Orbiter Mission (ESA)

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Solar Orbiter Mission (ESA)

• - The near-Sun phase ? approach the Sun as
  close as 48 solar radii (0.22 AU). At these
  distances, the angular speed of a spacecraft near
  its perihelion approximately matches the rotation
  rate of the Sun, enabling instruments to track a
  given point on the Sun surface for several days.
• - Out-of-ecliptic phase (extended mission) ?
  higher solar latitudes (up to 35º in the
  extended phase), making possible detailed studies
  of the Suns polar caps.
• Venus Gravity Assist Manoeuvre (GAM) to
  reduce the perihelion distance.  Later Venus GAMs
  increase the orbital inclination to more than 30
  degree with respect to the solar equator.
• http//sci.esa.int/science-e/www/obj
  ect/index.cfm?fobjectid37625

• To be launched 2015
• Objectives Will produce images of the Sun at
  an unprecedented resolution and perform closest
  ever in-situ measurements and get to high
  latitudes
• Orbit It incorporates both a near-Sun and a
  high-latitude phase.

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The Second Solar Orbiter workshop goals

• Inform the wider community of the SolO
  opportunity and to investigate synergies to
  enhance the opportunity, including ground-based
  support and modelling. 
• Discuss Solar Orbiter operations strategies and
  scenarios, and outline how the goals of Orbiter
  will be achieved. 
• Strengthen the political and scientific support
  for the mission, demonstrating the wide
  international interest in the mission. 
• Improve the definition of the payload
  scientifically andtechnologically. 
• Identify ways of mission optimization and
  international cooperation.

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Visible-Light Imager and Magnetograph (VIM)

• Full Magnetic Vector, Continuum and Velocity
  Images.
• Spectral line Fe I 6173A
• 2048x2048 detector
• Two telescopes
• High Resolution Telescope
• Full Disk Telescope FOV of 2.6 degrees and a
  pixel size of 730Km at 0.22 AU (GONG 1.5Mm)
• At high latitudes ? Short observation periods
  of 10-30 days

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Solar Sentinels (NASA)

• Inner Heliospheric Sentinels--four identical
  probes stationed inside the orbits of Venus and
  Mercury. These spacecraft would sample freshly
  accelerated solar energetic particles close to
  the Sun.
• The four Inner Heliospheric Sentinels will
  face unique thermal and power challenges as they
  orbit the Sun, some well inside Mercury's orbit.
• Near-Earth Sentinela single probe orbiting
  Earth. This Sentinel would carry a coronagraph, a
  special telescope for observing the Sun's faint
  corona where CMEs get their start.
• Farside Sentinela single probe to watch the
  farside of the sun. Together with other
  spacecraft, this sentinel would provide a
  complete picture of the Sun--not just the half we
  see from Earth.

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Solar Orbiter / Solar Sentinels

• Some Advantages
• Reduce the cost
• Increase the probability of both missions to
  actually happen.
• Increase scientific opportunities
• Remote sensing capability of SoLO will enhance
  IHS science
• Combined ESA/NASA ground stations improve SoLO
  data rate and cadence.
• Some Disadvantages
• Reduce the proximity to the Sun for SoLO, and max
  inclination
• Suggestion of reduce from 4 to 3 IHS
• Redundancy of some instruments (?)
• Weight load.

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Solar Orbiter the orbit
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Solar Orbiter the orbit