Solar Orbiter Orbit Views (Pre-launch and Post-launch versions)
Visualizations by
Tom Bridgman
Released on February 4, 2020
This visualization illustrates the trajectory of Solar Orbiter during it's multi-year study of the Sun. The orbit trail is extended to better illustrate the changes to the orbit plane implemented using gravity-assists from Venus.
The visualizations below were developed prior to the launch of Solar Orbiter and do not reflect the changes required by the launch delay. They are kept available for historical interest only.