Ulysses mission coming to a natural end

A joint ESA and NASA mission, Ulysses (named after the hero of Greek legend) is charting the unknown reaches of space above and below the poles of the sun. Exploring our star's environment is vital if scientists are to build a complete picture of the sun, how it works and its effect on the solar system. In particular, the satellite is studying the solar wind that blows non-stop from the sun and carves a huge bubble in space called the heliosphere. Ulysses is providing the first-ever map of the heliosphere from the equator to the poles. Ulysses is equipped with a comprehensive range of scientific instruments. These are able to detect and measure solar wind ions and electrons, magnetic fields, energetic particles, cosmic rays, natural radio and plasma waves, cosmic dust, interstellar neutral gas, solar X-rays and cosmic gamma-ray bursts. This combination of experiments will help scientists understand the sun and its heliosphere, and perhaps the sun's influence on Earth's climate. Ulysses was launched by the Space Shuttle Discovery in October 1990. It headed out to Jupiter, arriving in February 1992 for the gravity-assisted manoeuvre that swung the craft into its unique solar orbit. It passed over the sun's south pole in 1994, and the north pole in 1995. Credits: ESA