The European Space Agency (ESA) and the American NASA are launching Solar Orbiter into space on February 8. It will fly close to the sun, at around 45 million kilometers, where it will primarily research the causes of solar wind.
Solar Orbiter is fitted with the x-ray telescope STIX, which can take pictures and spectra from x-ray beams. It was developed in Switzerland under leadership from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). Numerous partners from industry were also involved in the development, including maxon motor from Sachseln in the canton of Obwalden. The company supplied the drives for the telescope – two specially modified DCmotors with a diameter of 13 millimeters that drive an aluminium absorption net, which as required can be placed in front of STIX’s detectors.
The design is based on maxon motor’s micromotors, which will soon be deployed on the ESA’s ExoMarsRover. According to a statement from the FHNW, also involved were Heinz Baumgartner AG from Tegerfelden in the canton of Aargau, Ateleris GmbH from Bruggin the canton of Aargau, Ernst Hänni AG from Volketswil in the canton of Zurich, REMOTEC GmbH from Wädenswil in the canton of Zurich and KOEGL Space from Dielsdorfin the canton of Zurich.They were supported by researchers from the Paul ScherrerInstitute (PSI) and the University of Bern.
Following its launch in February, Solar Orbiter will be in orbit for around two years before it can start taking measurements. The end of the mission is expected in 2025. The budget is around 1.5 billion euros.
