The first international mission to the Sun
The primary mission of Ulysses was to examine the heliosphere - the vast region of space occupied by the Sun's atmosphere. The heliosphere is dominated by the stream of charged particles coming from the Sun, known as the solar wind.
Ulysses was a joint mission between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) with key involvement from UK science teams. The data sent back by Ulysses has helped scientists understand how the Sun works and what affect it has on the rest of our Solar System.
Mission facts
Understanding solar activity has important consequences for Earth and its inhabitants. The solar wind can cause magnetic storms and affect our weather and satellites. It can even disrupt power supplies and communication systems on Earth.
Many of the scientists working on Ulysses, or using results from the mission, are also involved in SOHO (link opens in a new window), STEREO (link opens in a new window) and Hinode (link opens in a new window).
Technology
Ulysses carried 15 different scientific instruments. Measurements were taken of cosmic, gamma and X-rays as well as electrons and cosmic dust. Results from these instruments have helped scientists study every aspect of the Sun and its surroundings.
UK involvement
Imperial College London and the University of Kent helped to build four of the instruments on board. The team at Imperial lead the studies of the Sun's magnetic field.
For more information, visit the mission pages on the ESA website. (link opens in a new window)
