Lift off: Solar Orbiter on its way to the Sun
Video Credit: PA - Press Association STUDIO - Duration: 00:51s - Published
Lift off: Solar Orbiter on its way to the Sun
The Solar Orbiter β which aims to unlock the secrets of the Sun β is on its way to the star.
Built by Airbus in Stevenage, it lifted off into space in the Atlas V 411 rocket from Nasaβs Cape Canaveral site in Florida just after 4am UK time.
There were hugs of congratulations and relief at the European Space Agencyβs (ESA) European Space Operations Centre at the successful launch.
While in Florida, Gunther Hasinger, ESAβs director of science, and Thomas Zurbuchen, NASAβs associate administrator for the science mission directorate, gave a thumbs up, declaring: βWe have a mission.β