Solar Orbiter Venus Flyby

Solar Orbiter, a partnership between ESA and NASA, will perform a gravity assist maneuver with Venus on December 24, 2026. Throughout its mission it also makes repeated gravity assist flybys of Venus to get closer to the Sun, and to change its orbital inclination, boosting it out of the ecliptic plane, to get the best – and first – views of the Sun’s poles. Location: Venus.

Event date: Thursday, December 24, 2026 at 12:00 AM

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Prepare for an astronomical event like no other! On Thursday, December 24, 2026, the Solar Orbiter—a groundbreaking collaboration between ESA and NASA—will execute a crucial gravity assist maneuver with Venus. This flyby is not just a routine check; it’s a strategic move to navigate closer to the Sun and alter its orbital path, enabling the spacecraft to venture out of the ecliptic plane. As Solar Orbiter embarks on this journey, it will unlock unprecedented views of the Sun’s poles, offering insights that could reshape our understanding of solar dynamics. Mark your calendars for this celestial milestone and witness the marvels of space exploration as we get closer than ever to the heart of our solar system!

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