Europe to lead daring Sun mission!

Gerald · 10-04-11, 02:17 PM

The probe will orbit closer to the Sun than any previous spacecraft.

Europe is to lead the most ambitious space mission ever undertaken to study the behaviour of the Sun.Known as Solar Orbiter, the probe will have to operate a mere 42 million km from our star - closer than any spacecraft to date.The mission proposal was formally adopted by European Space Agency (Esa) member states on Tuesday.Solar Orbiter is expected to launch in 2017 and will cost close to a billion euros. Nasa (the US space agency) will participate, providing two instruments for the probe and the rocket to send it on its way.The Esa delegates, who were meeting in Paris, also selected a mission to investigate two of the great mysteries of modern cosmology - dark matter and dark energy. Scientists are convinced that these phenomena dominate and shape the Universe but their nature has so far eluded any satisfactory explanation. The discovery in the late 1990s of dark energy and its influence on cosmic expansion was recognised with a Nobel Prize earlier in the day for three scientists.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15146082

Note: 4 October 2011 Last updated at 15:08 GMT

Krauter · 10-04-11, 02:25 PM

That's going to be one expensive fizzle..

Jimbuna · 10-04-11, 02:31 PM

Every sun has its nemesis.

Gerald · 10-04-11, 02:55 PM

David C, has invested some of the pension funds, for it to lift,

Penguin · 10-05-11, 05:33 AM

I think they should name the probe Icarus. I also hope that our government volunteers to man it...

TLAM Strike · 10-05-11, 09:03 AM

Leave it to the Europeans to try and land a man on the Sun...

Skybird · 10-05-11, 07:11 PM

Finally! EU sees a light at the end of the tunnel!

Torplexed · 10-05-11, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Finally! EU sees a light at the end of the tunnel!

Yeah. It's called a Supernova.

10-04-11, 02:17 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Europe to lead daring Sun mission! The probe will orbit closer to the Sun than any previous spacecraft. Europe is to lead the most ambitious space mission ever undertaken to study the behaviour of the Sun.Known as Solar Orbiter, the probe will have to operate a mere 42 million km from our star - closer than any spacecraft to date.The mission proposal was formally adopted by European Space Agency (Esa) member states on Tuesday.Solar Orbiter is expected to launch in 2017 and will cost close to a billion euros. Nasa (the US space agency) will participate, providing two instruments for the probe and the rocket to send it on its way.The Esa delegates, who were meeting in Paris, also selected a mission to investigate two of the great mysteries of modern cosmology - dark matter and dark energy. Scientists are convinced that these phenomena dominate and shape the Universe but their nature has so far eluded any satisfactory explanation. The discovery in the late 1990s of dark energy and its influence on cosmic expansion was recognised with a Nobel Prize earlier in the day for three scientists. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15146082 Note: 4 October 2011 Last updated at 15:08 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

10-04-11, 02:31 PM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Every sun has its nemesis. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

10-04-11, 02:55 PM	#4
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	David C, has invested some of the pension funds, for it to lift, __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

10-05-11, 09:03 AM	#6
TLAM Strike Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 8,633 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 6	Leave it to the Europeans to try and land a man on the Sun... __________________

10-05-11, 07:11 PM	#7
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Finally! EU sees a light at the end of the tunnel! __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

10-05-11, 05:33 AM	#5
Penguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Rheinische Republik Posts: 3,322 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	I think they should name the probe Icarus. I also hope that our government volunteers to man it...