Speaker
Description
First Name: Catherine
Last Name: Fischer
Affiliation: ESAC/ESA
All Authors: C. Fischer, A. De Groof, M. Janvier, D. Müller, P. Osuna, A. P. Walsh, D. R. Williams, and the SOC team
Abstract: Launched in February 2020, Solar Orbiter has delivered an extensive data collection to the scientific community, including high-resolution images and magnetic maps, detailed spectra, and in-situ measurements of the pristine solar wind within Mercury’s orbit. In February 2025, a gravity-assist maneuver at Venus tilted the spacecraft’s orbit to 17° relative to the solar equator. This inclination will continue to increase over the coming years through additional Venus gravity assists, enabling Solar Orbiter to sample solar wind well beyond the ecliptic plane and investigate the Sun’s polar regions. This poster presents the planned trajectory for the remainder of the Nominal Mission Phase and beyond, highlighting operational challenges and unique scientific opportunities that it will present us with as we break free of the ecliptic view of our heliosphere.