NASA launched the Parker Solar Probe in 2018. It will make history on December 24, 2024, with its closest approach to the Sun. This first-of-its-kind mission aims to study the Sun and revolutionize our understanding of its behavior.
Mission objectives
The Parker Solar Probe will investigate several aspects of solar activity, including the corona and solar wind, to see how they affect our solar system.
How new technologies are shaping the future of space exploration
Studying the solar corona
The Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, is much hotter than its surface, a fact that’s been puzzling scientists for a long time. Now, they hope that the robe will provide some answers.
Analyzing the solar wind
The solar wind is particles emitted from the Sun. They can influence the Earth’s magnetic field and can disrupt satellites and communication networks. Getting a better understanding of these particles can help scientists better safeguard our electronic systems.
Understanding space weather
Solar phenomena, like coronal mass ejections and flares, can also impact technologies on Earth and in space. Scientists are hoping the probe’s findings will provide more insight into possibly improving our ability to predict and prepare for such events.
Technological innovations
To survive the Sun’s extreme environment, the Parker Solar Probe is outfitted with cutting-edge technology. For instance, it’s using a revolutionary carbon-composite shield that will protect the spacecraft from temperatures reaching 2,500°F (1,370°C). This shield ensures that the onboard instruments remain cool and functional, even in the blazing proximity of the Sun.
Another fascinating feature of the Parker Solar Probe is its real-time decision-making capabilities, which will allow it to adjust its orientation to keep its heat-sensitive instruments safe from direct sunlight as needed while it completes its mission.
Achievements and milestones
In 2021, the Parker Solar Probe made headlines as the first human-made object to “touch the Sun,” entering its corona, which has already yielded invaluable insights into how our Sun works.
On December 24, 2024, the spacecraft will come within just 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface, traveling at unimaginable speeds of 430,000 miles per hour. During this approach, the probe will collect data on the Sun’s atmosphere and magnetic fields, potentially solving some of the greatest mysteries in heliophysics.
When did the Parker Solar Probe get started?
The Parker Solar Probe is a NASA spacecraft launched in 2018 to study the Sun up close. Its mission is to explore the Sun’s corona, solar wind, and magnetic fields to uncover longstanding mysteries about our star.
When will the mission end?
The Parker Solar Probe's mission should continue until its planned conclusion in the late 2020s. By then, it will have completed several close passes to the Sun, collecting critical data.
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