Solar Orbiter

Solar Orbiter Mission – The Davos PMOD/WRC is flying to the Sun

What is Solar Orbiter and what is the purpose of this space mission?

Solar Orbiter is a 2.5 x 3.1 x 2.7 m and 1800 kg spacecraft from the European Space Agency (ESA). It will orbit the Sun at a similar distance to Mercury, the closest of all planets to the Sun. The aim of the Solar Orbiter mission is to investigate the regularly occurring solar flares in the form of huge plasma bubbles. The previously unknown polar regions of the sun are a particular focus. Ten instruments are onboard the spacecraft. They make it possible to look at the sun using telescopes and cameras and to relay images of the solar poles for the first time in the history of space research.

What is the point of the mission?

The eruptions emanating from the sun are responsible for so-called space weather. This is noticeable here on Earth, for example in the form of the polar auorae. However, space weather can sometimes have negative consequences: solar storms caused by violent solar flares can disrupt GPS, but also other technologies and electrical systems on which our civilization depends more and more. If space weather can be predicted more precisely, such failures can be avoided in the future. Solar Orbiter will investigate the scientific connections behind space weather and thus help to improve the space weather forecast.

How and when will Solar Orbiter go into space?

It takes a rocket (Atlas V) to launch Solar Orbiter into space. If everything goes according to plan, the spacecraft will launch from Cape Canaveral (Florida) on 10 February at 05:03 CET at a speed of 58,000 km/h – around 60 times faster than the average passenger plane. As every detail has to be right for such a start, the exact start time can be postponed for hours, if not days.

Who is involved in the mission and how long will it last?

The idea for Solar Orbiter came up in 1996. Since then, scientists and companies from 18 countries have been working on the mission. The measuring instruments will provide the first data around three to four months after the start. It takes around a year and a half for Solar Orbiter to reach tis definitive orbit. It is planned that the Solar Orbiter will transmit data from space for around seven years.

How is the PMOD/WRC involved in Solar Orbiter?

The PMOD/WRC in Davos was involved in the design and construction of two instruments, EUI (Extreme Ultraviolet Imager) and SPICE (Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment). EUI consists of three telescopes with extreme ultraviolet cameras. One of the telescopes takes in the whole sun, the other two provide high-resolution images of fine structures. SPICE also captures a specific area of the sun, but at different wavelengths.

Apart from PMOD/WRC, are there any other Swiss partners who are working on  auch noch weitere Partner aus der Schweiz, die an Solar Orbiter mitarbeiten?

The Fachholschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) has developed an X-ray telescope that will also be on board Solar Orbiter. Almatec and RUAG, two industrial partners from Switzerland, were also involved in the construction of the instrument.

What are the greatest challenges for Solar Orbiter?

It will be VERY hot where Solar Orbiter orbits! At its closest point to the sun, the front of the spacecraft will reach 500°C. The average smartphone stops working at temperatures between 35 and 45°C! A huge heat-shield (3.2 x 2.4 m) therefore protects the instruments made from very sensitive electronics and optics. The heat-shield is constructed of titanium (used for instance in joint prosthetics developed by the AO Foundation Davos), and a special material called SolarBlack, which is obtained from burned animal bones. So that the instruments can take pictures of the sun despite this heat protection, small recesses with doors are built into the shield, which will opened at the appropriate time.

In addition to the risk of burning the measuring instruments, there are many things that could also go wrong during the mission, from a possible explosion of the spacecraft at launch to missing the intended orbit or jamming of heat-shield doors.

What skills and professions are required for a space mission such as Solar Orbiter?

Scientists develop international instruments to uncover the secrets of the sun. A traditional academic path through university is usually required, specialising in physics or mathematics, and obtaining a doctorate.

Electronic Engineers design complex electronics that capture, process and transmit the data collected from all instruments on board. Entry into this field can be via an apprenticeship in electronics with a subsequent university of applied sciences or university degree, e.g. in electronics or physics.

Mechanical Engineers are responsible for designs that withstand the shocks during takeoff and hold the instruments in precise positions throughout the mission. Entry into this field can be via an apprenticeship with a subsequent university of applied sciences or university degree in mechanical engineering.

Optical Engineers design telescopes that are compact enough to fit on a spacecraft and can directly observe the sun without going “blind”. Entry into this field can be via training or research in physics.

Software Engineers develop software that can automatically run reliably millions of miles from Earth in a harsh radiation environment. Different training paths are possible – usually with a mathematical, computer science, physical or engineering background.

Project Managers ensure that all of the above do their work on time and on budget and that all parts of the system work well together. They can have any professional background – from technical to military.

Source and credits: ESA, NASA, PMOD/WRC

Mission Facts

ESA Fact Sheets

Solar Orbiter Fact Sheet No. 1
Solar Orbiter Fact Sheet No. 2

Source and credits: ESA, NASA, PMOD/WRC