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Mission Fleet Chart

Graphic with the blazing Sun on the left, Earth in the middle, Mars in the bottom right. Depicted across the page are the Heliophysics Division's Space Fleet with missions in extended operations labeled in blue, missions in primary operations labeled green, and future missions labeled in yellow.
Graphic depicting the Heliophysics Division's Space Fleet with missions in extended operations labeled in blue, missions in primary operations labeled green, and future missions labeled in yellow.

Mapping out this interconnected system requires a holistic study of the Sun’s influence on space, Earth and other planets. NASA has a fleet of spacecraft strategically placed throughout our heliosphere—from Parker Solar Probe at the Sun observing the very start of the solar wind, to satellites around Earth, to the farthest human-made object, Voyager, which is sending back observations on interstellar space. Each mission is positioned at a critical, well-thought out vantage point to observe and understand the flow of energy and particles throughout the solar system—all helping us untangle the effects of the star we live with.

The Sun

The Sun is a dynamic star, made of super-hot ionized gas called plasma.

The Sun's surface and atmosphere change continually, driven by the magnetic forces generated by this constantly-moving plasma. The Sun releases energy in two ways: the usual flow of light that illuminates the Earth and makes life possible; but also in more violent and dramatic ways — it gives off bursts of light, particles, and magnetic fields that can have ripple effects all the way out to the solar system's magnetic edge.

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Solar activity follows a roughly 11-year cycle. This composite image shows the Sun in extreme ultraviolet wavelengths about once a year over the course of a complete solar cycle.
ESA/NASA/SOHO