![]() An inferior conjunction is when the spacecraft is directly between the Sun and the Earth.Ĭonjunction times and durations are as follows: to be updated with actual trajectory During these intervals communications with the spacecraft are unlikely to be possible, so no payload commanding or science data downlink will take place.Ī superior conjunction is when the spacecraft is on the far side of the Sun compared to Earth. In the case of Solar Orbiter, a solar conjunction is defined as an interval where the Sun-Earth-Spacecraft angle is <= 3 degrees. Note that EOM is currently assumed to be VGAM8 Solar Conjunctions ![]() Remote sensing instruments will not operate and in situ instruments who wish to operate must agree a clear set of operational constraints and simple OFF/ON procedures with MOC, such that the flight control team can command instruments in response to spacecraft activities outside of the usual planning cycles. Payload operations are restricted during these windows since critical platform activities may take place at any time and at short notice. Periods 28 days prior and 7 days subsequent to each GAM are the so-called navigation windows. The GAM that marks the transition from cruise to the nominal phase is the only Earth encounter on this trajectory. Therese are all with Venus within the science phases. The orbits with different characteristics in the table above are separated by gravity assist manoeuvres (GAMs). Planning Constraints: Gravity Assist Manoeuvres, Conjunctions and Safe Mode Blackouts Gravity Assist Manoeuvres Actual launch took place at 04:03 UTC on 10 February 2020.Ĭurrently, mission phases are planned as follows, the start of cruise phase is subject to change based on the actual duration of commissioning activities. The launch window nominally opens on 4 February 2020 and closes on 24 February 2020, although launcher performance margins mean that an earlier launch is possible. The Solar Orbiter trajectory is also available as a CDF: solo_ANC_soc-orbit_20200210-20301120_L011_V1_00200_V01.cdf Launch Window, Launch Date and Mission Phases Information about SPICE kernels for solar orbiter can be found here: Solar Orbiter SPICE Kernels More detailed information for each planning period can be found in the Science Planning pages, and orbit plots and animations per planning period can be found on the Orbit Plots page.Īn animation of the orbit for the entire mission can be found here: Orbit_Whole_Mission.mp4 This page serves to provide a brief overview of Solar Orbiter's trajectory to aid in planning for GAMs, conjunctions etc. Information on this page is taken from the Solar Orbiter Consolidated Report on Mission Analysis (CReMA), issue 5.0 and updated with some changes post-launch.
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