HOT TECHNOLOGY

The spacecraft’s suite of instruments will track and map the corona

1. Thermal Protection System (TPS)

– The heat shield is 12cm thick, and 2.3m in diameter. Its white surface reflects most of the Sun’s heat to keep the instruments at a comfortable room temperature.

2. Solar Array Radiators

– Four racks of thin tubes are filled with warm water to help radiate away the excess heat absorbed by the heat shield.

3. Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons Investigation (SWEAP)

– Takes samples of the coronal material and then analyses main components – electrons, protons and helium atoms.

4. Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun (ISIS)

– Observes charged particles in the Sun’s atmosphere that are highly energised, and so could pose a risk to future astronauts.

5. FIELDS Experiment

– Takes direct measurements of the Sun’s magnetic and electric fields, as well as measuring plasma density, electron temperature and radio emissions.

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– The camera will take 3D images of the solar wind as it approaches and passes the spacecraft to provide context for the other instruments.

7. Solar Array

– During the closest approach the solar arrays that power the craft will get 25 times more energy than they would while orbiting Earth.