Parker Solar Probe

Active

Humanity's first mission to "touch" the Sun, flying through the solar corona to unlock the mysteries of our closest star. Named after Eugene Parker who theorized the solar wind.

Type

Solar Probe

Launch Date

August 12, 2018

Location

Solar Orbit

Latest Scientific Discovery

Live Mission Data

Deep Space Communication

Distance from Earth

6.9 million km from Sun (closest approach)

Signal Travel Time

One-way: ~18 hours

Mission Duration

6+ years operational

Mission Achievements

✓First spacecraft to fly through the solar corona (April 2021)
✓Fastest human-made object: 635,266 km/h (394,736 mph)
✓Closest approach to the Sun: 6.9 million km (4.3 million miles)
✓Discovered magnetic switchbacks in solar wind
✓First direct measurements of the solar wind acceleration zone
✓Captured first images of Venus' surface in visible light
✓Discovered a dust-free zone around the Sun
✓Measured the solar wind slowing down as it leaves the Sun

Mission Timeline

Mission Timeline & Milestones

Aug 12, 2018

Launch

Launched from Cape Canaveral on a Delta IV Heavy rocket

Oct 3, 2018

First Venus Flyby

Used Venus gravity assist to adjust orbit

Nov 6, 2018

First Perihelion

First close approach to the Sun at 35.7 solar radii

Apr 4, 2019

Second Perihelion

Closer approach at 35.7 solar radii

Dec 26, 2019

Second Venus Flyby

Another gravity assist to get closer to the Sun

Apr 28, 2021

Touched the Sun

First spacecraft to fly through the solar corona

Dec 14, 2021

Record Speed

Became fastest human-made object at 586,864 km/h

Nov 21, 2023

Record Approach

Closest approach yet at 7.26 million km from Sun

Dec 24, 2024

Final Close Approach

Will reach 6.9 million km from the Sun's surface

Mission Objectives

▸Trace the flow of energy that heats the corona and accelerates solar wind
▸Determine the structure and dynamics of magnetic fields at sources of solar wind
▸Explore mechanisms that accelerate and transport energetic particles
▸Study the dust environment near the Sun
▸Revolutionize our understanding of the Sun and its effects on space weather

Scientific Instruments

•FIELDS: Measures electric and magnetic fields, radio waves, and plasma density
•WISPR: Wide-field Imager for Solar Probe - captures images of solar wind structures
•ISʘIS: Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun - measures energetic particles
•SWEAP: Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons - counts particles and measures properties
•Heat Shield: 11.43 cm thick carbon-composite shield protecting instruments from 1,377°C heat