Solar Orbiter
Atlas V 411
United Launch Alliance
Rocket Launch Video
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.
Mission
Solar Orbiter
- Type: Heliophysics
- Orbit: Heliocentric N/A
- Launch Cost: $115,000,000
Solar Orbiter is a joint ESA/NASA mission dedicated to solar and heliospheric physics. It will be used to examine how the Sun creates and controls the heliosphere, the vast bubble of charged particles blown by the solar wind into the interstellar medium. The spacecraft will combine in situ and remote sensing observations to gain new information about the solar wind, the heliospheric magnetic field, solar energetic particles, transient interplanetary disturbances and the Sun's magnetic field.
Instruments include:
* Solar Wind Analyser (SWA)
* Energetic Particle Detector (EPD)
* Magnetometer (MAG)
* Radio and Plasma Wave analyser (RPW)
* Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI)
* Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI)
* Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE)
* Spectrometer Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX)
* Coronagraph (Metis)
While mission is not intended to get as close to the Sun as Parker Solar Probe, it's designed to coordinate observations and has different set of instruments. Main mission starts after one and only Earth flyby in November 2021, and lasts until Dec 2026 when it enters extended phase. During the mission, Solar Orbiter will get through numerous Venus gravity assists, and its trajectory will be highly inclined allowing direct observations of Sun's poles.
Location
Space Launch Complex 41
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Find the best place to watch the launch from Florida
Space Launch Complex 41 has witnessed the launch of 121 rockets, including 121 orbital launch attempts. While Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA, has been the site for 1086 rocket launches.
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
Rocket
United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411
Atlas V with 4m fairing, 1 SRB, 1 Centaur upper stage engine.
Agency
United Launch Alliance
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 Solar Orbiter launch scheduled?
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 Solar Orbiter launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 Solar Orbiter launch video?
You can watch the United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 Solar Orbiter mission launch from?
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
What rocket was used for the Solar Orbiter mission?
The Solar Orbiter mission launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 rocket. Atlas V with 4m fairing, 1 SRB, 1 Centaur upper stage engine. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 Solar Orbiter launch?
The United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 Solar Orbiter launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 Solar Orbiter launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest United Launch Alliance Atlas V 411 launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Solar Orbiter mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official United Launch Alliance live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.