NASA Parker Solar Probe Spacecraft Will Set Record Approach To Sun

Parker Solar Probe, developed by NASA to study the Sun, will reach its closest point to the star, the agency reports.

Since its launch in 2018, Parker gradually approached the sun, changing his orbit. After the last span past Venus on November 6, the probe will be ready for maximum proximity and on December 24 will pass at a distance of 6.1 million kilometers from the surface of the Sun, setting a new record.

During the location at the point of the greatest approximation, Parker will lose its connection with the ground due to the restrictions in the transmission of the signal, and will not be able to transmit data until December 27. However, at the end of January 2025, the probe will reach orbit, with which he will be able to clearly fix the Earth and begin to send scientific data collected during the record of proximity to the Sun.

Parker protective screens located on its outer side can heat up to 1,400 degrees Celsius, as well as the probe will set a new speed record, passing next to the Sun.

During its 17th close span on September 27, 2023, Parker approached the Sun 7.26 million kilometers and set a speed record, moving at a speed of more than 635 thousand kilometers per hour, becoming the fastest artificial object in history.

The probe mission is aimed at studying solar winds, magnetic fields and plasma dynamics.