Parker Solar Probe’s New Speed Record

October 11, 2023

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the fastest human-made object in history. During its 17th orbit around the sun, the probe reached a staggering speed of 635,266 kilometers (394,736 miles) per hour, surpassing its own record set in 2021. This remarkable journey not only signifies a groundbreaking achievement in space exploration but also brings the probe closer to the sun than ever before, providing invaluable insights into the Sun’s outer corona.

Record Speed and Proximity

On September 27, 2023, during its 17th solar flyby, the Parker Solar Probe broke its 2021 speed record of 586,000 kilometers (364,621 miles) per hour achieved during its 10th solar flyby. This record-breaking speed is an astonishing testament to the probe’s capabilities.

In addition to its record speed, the Parker Solar Probe has ventured closer to the Sun than ever before, reaching a proximity of 7.26 million kilometers above the radiant ocean of plasma often regarded as the Sun’s surface.

The Purpose of the Parker Solar Probe

Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe is a pioneering mission designed to gather critical data about the Sun’s outer corona, which is the outermost layer of the Sun. One of the most perplexing puzzles for scientists has been understanding why the corona is hotter than the layer immediately beneath it.

Future Missions and Insights

The Parker Solar Probe is scheduled to complete a total of 24 orbits around the Sun by 2025. During its closest approach, the spacecraft will come within approximately 3.8 million miles of the Sun. To put this distance into perspective, if the space between Earth and the Sun were equivalent to the length of a football field, the probe would be approximately 4 yards from the end zone, as explained by NASA.

The observations made by the Parker Solar Probe from within the corona itself will provide invaluable insights into the Sun’s atmosphere and help scientists understand the driving mechanisms behind the solar wind. This constant outflow of solar material, traveling at approximately a million miles per hour, has a substantial impact on Earth, and the probe’s data will enhance our understanding of this phenomenon. Additionally, the mission will provide crucial information on how solar eruptions can pose risks to astronauts and technology in space.

Extreme Durability and Technology

To withstand the extreme conditions close to the Sun, the Parker Solar Probe is equipped with a 4.5-inch-thick (11.43 centimeters) carbon-composite shield that maintains its scientific payload at room temperature. This shield ensures that the probe’s instruments continue to function effectively in the face of the Sun’s intense heat. Other vital technologies onboard include a solar array cooling system and on-board fault management systems.

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