![](\"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Solar_Orbiter_s_journey_around_the_Sun_small.jpg\")
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\nAnimation showing the trajectory of Solar Orbiter around the Sun, highlighting the gravity assist manoeuvres that will enable the spacecraft to change inclination to observe the Sun from different perspectives.\n<\/p>\n
\nDuring the initial cruise phase, which lasts until November 2021, Solar Orbiter will perform two gravity-assist manoeuvres around Venus and one around Earth to alter the spacecraft\u2019s trajectory, guiding it towards the innermost regions of the Solar System. At the same time, Solar Orbiter will acquire in situ<\/i>\u00a0data and characterise and calibrate its remote-sensing instruments. The first close solar pass will take place in 2022 at around a third of Earth\u2019s distance from the Sun.\n<\/p>\n
\nThe spacecraft\u2019s orbit has been chosen to be \u2018in resonance\u2019 with Venus, which means that it will return to the planet\u2019s vicinity every few orbits and can again use the planet\u2019s gravity to alter or tilt its orbit. Initially Solar Orbiter will be confined to the same plane as the planets, but each encounter of Venus will increase its orbital inclination. For example, after the 2025 Venus encounter it will make its first solar pass at 17\u00ba inclination, increasing to 33\u00ba during a proposed mission extension phase, bringing even more of the polar regions into direct view.\n<\/p>\n