Astronomy and Space

Helios (spacecraft)

Helios-A and Helios-B (after launch renamed Helios 1 and Helios 2) are a pair of probes that were launched into heliocentric orbit to study solar processes. As a joint venture between German Aerospace Center (DLR) and NASA, the probes were launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on December 10, 1974, and January 15, 1976, respectively. The Helios project set a maximum speed record for spacecraft of 252,792 km/h (157,078 mph; 70,220 m/s). Helios-B performed the closest flyby of the Sun so far, a record only broken in October 2018 by the Parker Solar Probe. The probes are no longer functional, but as of 2024 remain in elliptical orbits around the Sun.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Atlas V
• ▸El Teniente
• ▸Astronomical catalogue

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