{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\cocoartf1187\cocoasubrtf370
{\fonttbl\f0\fswiss\fcharset0 Helvetica;}
{\colortbl;\red255\green255\blue255;}
\paperw11900\paperh16840\margl1440\margr1440\vieww19940\viewh14960\viewkind0
\pard\tx566\tx1133\tx1700\tx2267\tx2834\tx3401\tx3968\tx4535\tx5102\tx5669\tx6236\tx6803\pardirnatural

\f0\fs24 \cf0 Solar Orbiter Science Operations\
\
\pard\pardeftab720
\cf0 Solar Orbiter, scheduled for launch in 2017, is designed to perform a close-up study of our Sun and inner heliosphere. After a cruise phase of approximately 3.5 years, the spacecraft will\
follow highly elliptical orbits around the Sun, progressively inclined out of the ecliptic up to latitudes\
above 30 degrees. At perihelion, Solar Orbiter will bring its suite of 6 remote-sensing and 4 in-situ\
instruments as close as 0.28AU to the Sun, which will provide unique, high-resolution data of our nearest star, and should reveal the link between solar surface activity and plasma dynamics in the inner heliosphere.\
\
The harsh environment and extreme temperatures that Solar Orbiter will face, imply extra challenges for the design of the highly sophisticated, lightweight spacecraft and payload. Unlike most Sun-observing missions, also the science operations will be restricted by the power resources and the extremely limited, and especially highly variable, telemetry rate.\
\pard\tx566\tx1133\tx1700\tx2267\tx2834\tx3401\tx3968\tx4535\tx5102\tx5669\tx6236\tx6803\pardirnatural
\cf0 \
\pard\pardeftab720
\cf0 The Solar Orbiter Science Operations Centre which is currently being developed at ESAC, Villafranca, Spain requires a science operations concept which is tailored specifically to\
the mission. On one hand, Solar Orbiter will be run similarly to a planetary encounter mission, with remote-sensing instruments observing only during dedicated science windows around perihelion and highest latitudes. On the other hand, the highly dynamical nature of the Sun requires a high flexibility in pointing adjustments, implying short turn-around times and a close collaboration with the 10 instrument teams.\
\
We present the unique science operations concept for Solar Orbiter, focussing on mission-specific design requirements, but also on implementation choices that are taken with the goal of reusing the tools and procedures that have been proven adequate in the past. In particular, inherited EPS planning tools and the infrastructure from previous solar and heliospheric archives, will be reused.\
\pard\tx566\tx1133\tx1700\tx2267\tx2834\tx3401\tx3968\tx4535\tx5102\tx5669\tx6236\tx6803\pardirnatural
\cf0 \
}