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2020 felt like a never-ending rollercoaster, but amidst the chaos, some moments truly stood out. One shining example? The launch of the Solar Orbiter!
Launched on February 10, 2020, the Solar Orbiter is a sun-observing satellite developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). Its mission? To orbit our closest giant star for the next decade, capturing breathtaking images of the Sun's fiery surface and exploring its uncharted polar regions like never before.
Leading the charge, Christopher Owen, a physics professor at University College London, spearheaded the Solar Wind Analyser (SWA) Investigation. Alongside him, Cesar Garcia, the Solar Orbiter project manager at ESA, navigated the challenges of coordinating this ambitious mission.
Just as the team was gearing up for crucial instrument testing in March, the COVID-19 pandemic hit Europe hard. With colleagues in Darmstadt, Germany testing positive, operations had to shut down for 10 tense days. But true to their innovative spirit, Owen and his team developed new communication modes to stay on track.
Despite the hurdles, witnessing the Solar Orbiter launch with the roar of the rocket became one of the most inspiring moments of 2020 for the entire team. It was a testament to resilience, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge even in the toughest times.
Here's to the heroes behind the scenes making stellar things happen!
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