| Solar Dynamics Observatory |
2010-02-11 |
Sun |
NASA |
Active |
Observes the Sun and its influence on Earth. |
| SOHO |
1995-12-02 |
Sun |
ESA/NASA |
Active |
Studies the Sun's atmosphere and solar wind. |
| Parker Solar Probe |
2018-08-12 |
Sun |
NASA |
Active |
Closest spacecraft to the Sun, studying solar corona. |
| BepiColombo |
2018-10-20 |
Mercury |
ESA/JAXA |
Pre-launch |
Mission to study Mercury, including solar influence. |
| JAXA Akasaki |
2009-10-01 |
Moon |
JAXA |
Complete |
Explored solar phenomena and its impact on Earth. |
| Solar Orbiter |
2020-02-10 |
Sun |
ESA/NASA |
Active |
Studies solar polar regions to understand solar wind. |
| ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer) |
1997-08-12 |
Solar Orbital |
NASA |
Active |
Studies solar, interstellar, interplanetary, and cosmic rays. |
| DSCOVR |
2015-02-11 |
L1 Point |
NASA |
Active |
Monitors solar wind and provides real-time data to Earth. |
| SMART-1 |
2003-09-27 |
Moon |
ESA |
Complete |
First European mission to the Moon using solar propulsion. |
| Hayabusa2 |
2014-12-03 |
Ryugu |
JAXA |
Active |
Sample return mission with solar power as primary source. |
| JAXA Hayabusa |
2003-05-09 |
Itokawa |
JAXA |
Complete |
First successful sample return mission using solar power. |
| NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) |
2003-06-10 |
Mars |
NASA |
Complete |
Rovers powered by solar energy for Mars exploration. |
| WorldView 3 |
2014-08-13 |
Earth |
DigitalGlobe |
Active |
Earth observation satellite using solar power. |
| Spirit and Opportunity |
2003-06-10 |
Mars |
NASA |
Complete |
Rovers that explored Mars using solar panels. |
| Mariner 10 |
1973-11-03 |
Mercury |
NASA |
Complete |
First spacecraft to use solar power for Mercury missions. |
| Gemini Program |
1965-1966 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Used solar power for space suits and equipment. |
| Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) |
2029-2029 (planned) |
L1 Point |
ESA/NASA |
Planned |
Future mission to use solar energy for gravitational wave detection. |
| Proba-2 |
2008-11-02 |
Low Earth Orbit |
ESA |
Active |
Studying solar activity and its influence on Earth weather. |
| Minerva-1 |
2011-07-20 |
Asteroids |
JAXA |
Complete |
A small satellite studying asteroids using solar energy. |
| Bora-6 |
2019-12-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
CubeSat for atmospheric studies powered by solar cells. |
| ISS (International Space Station) |
1998-11-20 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA/ISS partners |
Active |
Habitable satellite with solar panels for power. |
| OSIRIS-REx |
2016-09-08 |
Bennu |
NASA |
Active |
Asteroid sample return mission using solar power. |
| Dawn |
2007-09-27 |
Vesta and Ceres |
NASA |
Complete |
First spacecraft to utilize ion propulsion and solar power. |
| Kepler Space Telescope |
2009-03-07 |
Exoplanet Search |
NASA |
Complete |
Used solar power for the search for Earth-like planets. |
| CHANDRA X-ray Observatory |
1999-07-23 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Observes X-rays from high-energy regions of the universe. |
| Van Allen Probes |
2012-08-30 |
Van Allen Radiation Belts |
NASA |
Complete |
Studied the Earth's radiation belts using solar power. |
| SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) |
2015-01-31 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Uses solar power to measure soil moisture globally. |
| Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope |
2008-06-11 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Explores gamma-ray universe and utilizes solar energy. |
| TIROS (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) |
1960-04-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
First meteorological satellite powered by solar energy. |
| Hubble Space Telescope |
1990-04-24 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA/ESA |
Active |
Observes the universe using solar panels for power. |
| NOAA-18 |
2005-05-20 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NOAA |
Active |
Meteorological satellite using solar energy. |
| Kepler Space Telescope |
2009-03-07 |
Exoplanet Search |
NASA |
Complete |
Designed to find habitable Earth-like planets. |
| ROSA |
2021-01-12 |
Low Earth Orbit |
ESA |
Active |
Deploys advanced solar panels for power efficiency testing. |
| HAARP (High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program) |
1993-05-20 |
Alaska |
US Government |
Complete |
Research program using solar energy for auroral studies. |
| OREX (Oxygen Reduction Experiment) |
2005-06-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Studied climate launched with solar power. |
| NASA's Mars 2020 |
2020-07-30 |
Mars |
NASA |
Active |
Features the Perseverance rover powered by solar energy. |
| Explorer 1 |
1958-01-31 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
First successful US satellite using solar power. |
| Swarm |
2013-11-22 |
Low Earth Orbit |
ESA |
Active |
Studying Earth's magnetic fields and uses solar energy. |
| ISS (International Space Station) |
1998-11-20 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Space station powered by solar panels. |
| Solar Sailor |
2018-05-20 |
Outer Solar System |
NASA |
Active |
Demonstrates solar sail technology. |
| Chandrayaan-2 |
2019-07-22 |
Moon |
ISRO |
Active |
India's lunar exploration mission using solar panels. |
| XMM-Newton |
1999-12-10 |
Low Earth Orbit |
ESA |
Active |
Observing X-rays powered by solar energy. |
| Juno |
2011-08-05 |
Jupiter |
NASA |
Active |
Explores Jupiter using solar panels. |
| AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) |
1978-07-23 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NOAA |
Active |
Earth observation satellite powered by solar energy. |
| Geomagnetic Investigations Without Solar Physics (GIAWSP) |
2020-01-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Studies solar influences on geomagnetic fields. |
| JAXA Akasaki |
2009-10-01 |
Moon |
JAXA |
Complete |
Explored solar phenomena and its impact on Earth. |
| Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) |
1995-12-02 |
Sun |
ESA/NASA |
Active |
Studies solar and heliospheric phenomena. |
| Wind |
1994-11-01 |
L1 Point |
NASA |
Active |
Studying solar wind and its interaction with Earth. |
| Solar Orbiter |
2020-02-10 |
Sun |
ESA/NASA |
Active |
Studies solar wind and the solar atmosphere. |
| GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) |
2002-03-17 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Measuring Earth's gravity and its changes powered by solar energy. |
| TerraSAR-X |
2007-06-15 |
Low Earth Orbit |
DLR |
Active |
Earth observation satellite using solar panels. |
| Envisat |
2002-03-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
ESA |
Complete |
Earth observation satellite powered by solar energy. |
| SARSAT |
1982-02-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NOAA |
Active |
Rescue satellite using solar energy for operations. |
| ITRIS |
2019-01-25 |
Earth |
NASA |
Active |
Investigating solar impacts on earth's temperatures. |
| TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) |
2018-04-18 |
Exoplanet Search |
NASA |
Active |
Surveys nearby stars for exoplanets using solar power. |
| OSSE (Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment) |
1991-02-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Studies high-energy gamma rays using solar energy. |
| HAARP (High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program) |
1993-05-20 |
US |
US Government |
Complete |
Studies ionosphere using solar power. |
| Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) |
1975-10-16 |
Geostationary Orbit |
NOAA |
Active |
Weather monitoring satellite powered by solar energy. |
| Titan II GLV |
1985-12-02 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Launch vehicle mission utilizing solar energy. |
| UARS (Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite) |
1991-09-12 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Research on the upper atmosphere using solar panels. |
| IBEX (Interstellar Boundary Explorer) |
2008-10-19 |
Interstellar Space |
NASA |
Active |
Investigates the heliosphere boundaries using solar energy. |
| Scout |
2018-04-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Satellite using solar power for Earth observation. |
| TRACE (Transition Region and Coronal Explorer) |
1998-04-01 |
Sun |
NASA |
Complete |
Studies the Sun's corona and solar flares using solar energy. |
| Wind |
1994-11-01 |
L1 Point |
NASA |
Active |
Studies solar wind and its connections to Earth weather. |
| INSAT |
2000-02-01 |
Geostationary Orbit |
ISRO |
Active |
Provides telecommunications, broadcasting and meteorology services powered by solar energy. |
| AZURE |
2012-10-20 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Mission to study atmospheric effects on solar radiation. |
| RHESSI (Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager) |
2002-02-05 |
Sun |
NASA |
Active |
Observes solar flares using solar panels. |
| Shenzhou 12 |
2021-06-17 |
Low Earth Orbit |
China |
Active |
Chinese crewed spacecraft using solar energy. |
| CASSINI-HUYGENS |
1997-10-15 |
Saturn |
NASA/ESA |
Complete |
Exploration of Saturn and its moons using solar power. |
| ExoMars Rover |
2022-09-20 |
Mars |
ESA/Roscosmos |
Active |
Searches for signs of life on Mars using solar energy. |
| MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) |
2013-11-18 |
Mars |
NASA |
Active |
Studies Martian atmosphere using solar energy. |
| INSAT-3A |
2002-09-10 |
Geostationary Orbit |
ISRO |
Active |
Earth observation satellite powered by solar energy. |
| Altair |
2004-10-19 |
Moon |
NASA |
Canceled |
Proposed lunar lander mission using solar energy. |
| BepiColombo |
2018-10-20 |
Mercury |
ESA/JAXA |
Active |
Joint mission to Mercury studying its magnetosphere and solar effects. |
| MEX (Mars Express) |
2003-06-02 |
Mars |
ESA |
Active |
Used solar energy to explore Martian surface and atmosphere. |
| JAXA Akasaki |
2009-10-01 |
Moon |
JAXA |
Complete |
Explored solar phenomena and its impact on Earth. |
| BARREL (Balloon Array for Radiation belt Relativistic electron Losses) |
2013-01-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Investigation on radiation belts powered by solar energy. |
| Microsat-2A |
2018-11-20 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Cube satellite powered by solar panels. |
| NEAR Shoemaker |
1996-02-17 |
Eros |
NASA |
Complete |
First spacecraft to land on an asteroid using solar energy. |
| Insight |
2018-05-05 |
Mars |
NASA |
Active |
Studying Mars geological activity with solar power. |
| DLR Earth Observing Satellite |
2005-10-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
DLR |
Active |
Earth observations using solar panels. |
| SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) |
2000-02-11 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Used solar power to create digital elevation models. |
| Spitzer Space Telescope |
2003-08-25 |
Sun-Earth L2 |
NASA |
Complete |
Observes infrared radiation powered by solar energy. |
| Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Satellite |
2023-05-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
China |
Active |
Secure quantum communications utilizing solar energy. |
| SSEP (Space Solar Power Experiment) |
2021-01-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Demonstrating solar power conversion in space. |
| JAXA Akasaki |
2009-10-01 |
Moon |
JAXA |
Complete |
Explored solar phenomena and its impact on Earth. |
| NASA's Mars Perseverance |
2020-07-30 |
Mars |
NASA |
Active |
The rover uses solar panels for its operations. |
| ISEE-3/ICE |
1978-08-12 |
Earth-Sun L1 |
NASA |
Complete |
Studied the solar wind using solar panels. |
| GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement) |
2014-02-27 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA/JAXA |
Active |
Measuring global precipitation powered by solar energy. |
| DB-B (Debris Breacher) |
2022-11-25 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Studies space debris elimination using solar power. |
| ALICE (Array of Light In Circular Experiments) |
2009-10-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Research on light absorption powered by solar arrays. |
| ALOS (Advanced Land Observing Satellite) |
2006-01-24 |
Low Earth Orbit |
JAXA |
Active |
Earth observation satellite powered by solar panels. |
| GEMINI (Global Environmental Monitoring and Observation Satellite) |
2020-02-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NOAA |
Active |
Monitoring environmental changes using solar energy. |
| SURF (Solar UltraRelativistic Forces) |
2023-09-12 |
Outer Space |
NASA |
Active |
Research on solar-induced forces in space. |
| RETURN-0 (Returned Shadowed Evidence of Solar Wind) |
2019-02-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Investigation of solar wind using solar energy. |
| PSP (Parker Solar Probe) |
2018-08-12 |
Sun |
NASA |
Active |
Explore the solar atmosphere powered by solar panels. |
| MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) |
2013-11-18 |
Mars |
NASA |
Active |
Studies Martian atmosphere powered by solar panels. |
| Comet Interceptor |
2029-01-01 |
Near comets |
ESA |
Planned |
Exploration of comets using solar energy. |
| Voyager 1 |
1977-09-05 |
Interstellar Space |
NASA |
Active |
Investigates the outer solar system with solar energy. |
| Voyager 2 |
1977-08-20 |
Interstellar Space |
NASA |
Active |
Studies the outer planets using solar power. |
| TL-6 (The Light) |
2020-01-11 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Experimental solar energy satellite. |
| JPSS (Joint Polar Satellite System) |
2017-11-18 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NOAA |
Active |
Weather data collection powered by solar energy. |
| Global Hawk UAV |
2001-02-24 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Unmanned aerial vehicle powered by solar panels. |
| AISHE (Autonomous In-Situ Data Collection for Solar Sail Missions) |
2022-03-09 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Data collection using solar sails. |
| PSP |
2018-07-31 |
Sun |
NASA |
Active |
Mission to study solar corona using solar panels. |
| Micro Dragon |
2020-01-31 |
Low Earth Orbit |
JAXA |
Active |
Small satellite with solar panels for tech demos. |
| ODIN |
2001-02-20 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Astronomy mission focusing on the sun's influence. |
| Careers in Space |
2021-07-14 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Education mission promoting careers in space science. |
| JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) |
2021-12-25 |
L2 Point |
NASA/ESA/CSA |
Active |
Infrared telescope using solar energy. |
| NASA Solar Probes |
2018-08-12 |
Sun |
NASA |
Active |
Investigating solar phenomena using solar energy. |
| PSP (Parker Solar Probe) |
2018-08-12 |
Sun |
NASA |
Active |
Closest spacecraft to the Sun studying solar corona. |
| SunRISE |
2025-01-01 |
Moon |
NASA |
Planned |
Solar physics mission using solar array technology. |
| Interstellar Probe |
2025-01-01 |
Interstellar Space |
NASA |
Planned |
Explores outer limits of solar system using solar power. |
| ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer) |
1997-08-12 |
Sun-Earth L1 |
NASA |
Active |
Studies solar, interplanetary, and cosmic rays. |
| Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) |
2015-02-11 |
L1 Point |
NASA |
Active |
Monitors solar wind and space weather. |
| Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) |
2014-02-27 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA/JAXA |
Active |
Measuring precipitation patterns powered by solar energy. |
| ROSA |
2021-01-12 |
Low Earth Orbit |
ESA |
Active |
Testing solar panel deployments in space. |
| Euclid |
2022-07-01 |
L2 Point |
ESA |
Active |
Exploring dark energy and dark matter using solar energy. |
| Hayabusa2 |
2014-12-03 |
Asteroid Ryugu |
JAXA |
Active |
Sample return mission utilizing solar power. |
| NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer |
2016-01-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NanoRacks |
Active |
Deploying small satellites using solar energy for operations. |
| FIREBIRD |
2018-01-20 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Studying energetic particle dynamics with solar energy. |
| OSES (Orbital Solar Energy Satellite) |
2023-10-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Exploring solar energy for power generation in space. |
| PLANET-ER |
2020-01-15 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Planetary exploration using solar-powered drones. |
| NEO Surveyor |
2028-01-01 |
Near Earth Objects |
NASA |
Planned |
A survey mission for tracking asteroids with solar power. |
| Centennial Challenge Solar Power Satellite |
2025-10-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Planned |
Experimental solar power conversion and beaming. |
| ENGAGE (Satellite Energetics Network for Global Analysis of Geospace) |
2019-01-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Studying geospace using solar energy. |
| SQUID (Solar Quantum Interference Detector) |
2023-12-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Detecting solar energy variations in space. |
| WINDII (Wind Imaging Interferometer) |
1994-03-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Complete |
Using solar power to study the upper atmosphere. |
| Mini-SAR |
2007-10-24 |
Moon |
NASA |
Complete |
Explored polar regions with solar energy. |
| PSP (Parker Solar Probe) |
2018-08-12 |
Sun |
NASA |
Active |
Mission studying solar corona and solar wind. |
| ARTEMIS |
2007-10-20 |
Moon |
NASA |
Active |
Studying lunar orbit using solar power. |
| Solar Atmospheric Observatory |
2020-05-14 |
Sun |
NASA |
Active |
Studying solar atmosphere using solar power. |
| SODEX |
2011-01-15 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Active |
Satellite for solar observation. |
| EGS (Electromagnetic Geophysical Satellite) |
2024-01-01 |
Low Earth Orbit |
NASA |
Planned |
Monitoring solar effects on Earth's magnetosphere. |