China's ambitious plans include launching a space observatory, the Solar Polar Orbit Observatory, in 2029 to conduct a comprehensive study of the Sun's poles. This mission will involve a gravity assist maneuver at Jupiter to propel the spacecraft into a high-inclination orbit around the Sun, offering a unique perspective for observation. According to Luo Bingxian of the National Space Science Center (NSSC), this vantage point will provide crucial data on solar magnetic activity cycles and high-speed solar winds, directly impacting our understanding of Earth's space weather and technological infrastructure.

The mission's significance lies in its ability to provide the first frontal imaging observation of the solar polar regions, revealing the origin of the solar magnetic activity cycle, as stated by Luo. The observatory will also create a "Cloud Map" of Sun-interplanetary space. This project is part of China's National Space Science Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan (2024-2050).

The observatory will employ a suite of advanced instruments. These include a Magnetic and Helioseismic Imager for analyzing the Sun's magnetic field and internal oscillations; an Extreme Ultraviolet Solar Telescope for capturing high-energy solar emissions; a Visible-light Coronagraph and a Very Large Angle Coronagraph for observing the Sun's corona and solar wind structures; a Low Frequency Radio Spectrometer for studying solar radio bursts; and an X-ray Imaging Telescope for insights into high-energy solar events. In-situ instruments, such as the Solar Wind Ion Analyzer, Energetic Ion Analyzer, and Magnetometer, will directly measure solar wind properties and the interplanetary magnetic field.

This mission builds upon previous Chinese solar exploration endeavors, including the Chinese H-alpha Solar Explorer (CHASE), also known as Xihe-1, and the Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S), known as Kuafu-1. A potential future mission, Xihe-2, is also being considered. The Solar Polar Orbit Observatory's launch is part of a larger global effort in solar research, complementing missions from NASA, ESA, and ISRO.