Pin badge of Ulyssess, and plastic model outlining the trajectory of Ulysses first solar orbit, in ESA branded box 'Ulysses', by the European Space Agency, 1990-1997

Ulysses was a joint ESA/NASA mission to study the sun, with ESA providing the spacecraft (built by the German Dornier systems) and managing operations, whilst NASA facilitated the launch and provided the radioisotope thermoelectric generator which powered the probe, as well as the technology needed to get Ulysses into orbit. The probe contained 12 instruments provided by both space agencies.

It was launched in October 1990 aboard Discovery and remained in operation for almost 20 years despite the initial intention of a 5 year mission. Ulysses remains in the Sun’s orbit.

The pin badge is a model of the spacecraft, and the plastic model depicts the trajectory of Ulysses first solar orbit between 1994-1995.