SOLAR (ISS)

SOLAR[1] was an ESA science observatory on the Columbus Laboratory, which is part of the International Space Station.

It was externally mounted to Columbus with the European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF).

The mission was originally planned for a 2003 launch, but was delayed following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

[citation needed] Some other components are also planned to be mounted externally on Columbus on future missions, including the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES).

SOLAR was released from the station on February 3, 2020 and burnt up in the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean on March 13, 2020 ending the mission which spent a decade photographing the sun.