NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has achieved a remarkable feat as the fastest human-made object, hitting speeds of 635,266 kilometers per hour – a record it has broken twice since its 2018 launch.
The Parker Solar Probe is set to reach speeds of up to 692,000 kph by 2025, surpassing sound’s speed by over 500 times and covering the distance from Washington, DC to Tokyo in less than a minute.
GRAVITY-ASSISTED SOLAR ORBIT
Utilizing gravitational assists from Venus, the probe maneuvers through the Sun’s corona, gathering crucial scientific data with each orbit.
Since April 2021, the probe has conducted close encounters with the Sun, collecting plasma samples and measuring magnetic field changes, providing essential insights into solar processes.
Protected by an 11.4-centimeter carbon-composite shield, the Parker Solar Probe withstands temperatures nearing 1,371 degrees Celsius, essential for its proximity to the Sun.
Having completed its 20th close approach, the probe aims to venture even closer to the Sun’s surface, enhancing our understanding of solar phenomena.
Parker has now completed its 20th close approach, coming within 7.26 million kilometers of the layer of ionized gas considered to be the Sun’s surface. Eventually, it should get within 6.12 million kilometers.
And of course the probe has to be sturdy enough to withstand not just these incredible speeds, but incredible heat and radiation.
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe exemplifies human innovation and exploration, pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in space. With its record-breaking speeds and groundbreaking scientific discoveries, the probe continues to unravel the mysteries of the Sun’s corona, paving the way for future missions and expanding our understanding of our cosmic neighborhood.
