Context:

Recently, NASA's Parker Solar Probe made history by reaching just 6.1 million kilometres from the Sun’s surface, marking the closest approach ever made by any spacecraft.

More on the news: 

The spacecraft set a new speed record, travelling approximately 700,000 km/h making it the fastest human-made object ever.

The probe endured temperatures of 1,400°C and radiation that could have frazzled the onboard electronics.

The mission marked the first of three record-setting close passes. 

• The subsequent two passes are scheduled on March 22 and June 19, 2025, and both are expected to bring the probe back to a similarly close distance from the sun.

After its launch in 2018, the probe has been gradually circling closer to the sun, using flybys of Venus to gravitationally pull it into a tighter orbit.

Significance of this Flyby:

• Study Solar Heating: Investigate how the Sun’s corona heats up to millions of degrees.
• Understand Solar Wind: Trace the origin of the solar wind, a constant flow of charged particles from the Sun.
• Explore Energetic Particles: Examine how particles in the Sun’s atmosphere accelerate to near-light speeds.
• Valuable Insights: Data from this mission will provide a better understanding of solar phenomena, helping with space weather prediction and solar physics. It will also improve our understanding of solar energy processes and the Sun-Earth relationship.

About Parker Solar Probe (2018):

Launch: The spacecraft was launched by NASA in 2018 to study the Sun and its atmosphere.

Mission Objectives: It aims to explore the Sun’s corona, magnetic field, and solar wind.

Scientific Instruments used: The probe includes Fields Experiment (FIELDS), Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun (ISIS), Solar Wind Electrons Alphas and Protons (SWEAP), and Wide Field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR).

Trajectory:  It has completed 22 close passes to the Sun, including the recent pass on December 24, 2024. 

• The spacecraft’s next planned close solar passes are on March 22, 2025, and June 19, 2025.

Gravity-Assist Maneuvers: The probe used Venus' gravity seven times to adjust its path. 

• The final gravity assist occurred on November 6, 2024, bringing it within 387 kilometres of Venus.

Protection: The probe is shielded by a 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite shield that can withstand temperatures up to 2,500°F (1,377°C).