NASA's Parker Solar Probe has broken a rendezvous record with our luminary.
The Parker Solar Probe space probe flew closer to the Sun than any other - on October 29, 2018, it was at a distance of 43 million kilometers from our star. And thus broke the record of the Helios-2 apparatus, created by scientists from Germany and the United States, which has been held since April 1976.
Another achievement has been surpassed - in speed. The probe accelerated faster than 247 thousand kilometers per hour, of which its predecessor was capable.
Parker Solar Probe launched a Delta IV Heavy rocket into space.
Parker Solar Probe will continue to approach the Sun. The first flight will take place on November 5, 2018. A total of 24 are planned - one closer than the other. At the last orbit, the probe should be only 6 million kilometers from the star and for the first time in the world fly almost through its corona. Scientists hope that the information gathered in this unexplored area of outer space will help to unravel the secrets of many processes in the power of which are both the Earth and its inhabitants.
Earth view from the Parker Solar Probe. It is about 40 million kilometers away.
Parker Solar Probe launched on August 12, 2018, circled Venus on September 28 and headed for the Sun. Details of the secrets to be revealed with the help of an unprecedented - hottest - mission in the history of space exploration.
Approximate flight plan of the probe.
Promotional video:
VLADIMIR LAGOVSKY