Eight days after its record-breaking close approach to the sun, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has delivered its first comprehensive update, confirming that its systems and instruments are functioning perfectly, the agency announced Thursday.
The spacecraft passed within an unprecedented 3.8 million miles of the sun’s surface, and its systems remain “healthy and operating normally,” according to NASA’s latest update. Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory began receiving detailed telemetry—or “housekeeping data”—from the probe on New Year’s Day. This data confirmed the execution of pre-programmed commands and the operational status of the probe’s scientific instruments during the historic flyby.
“Parker Solar Probe was closer to the Sun than any human-made object in history, operating exactly as designed and capturing observations that have never been possible before,” said Helene Winters, Project Manager for the mission. She highlighted the innovative technology that made the mission possible, from the heat shield to the solar array cooling system, describing the spacecraft as a testament to the dedication of the team that designed and built it.
Launched in 2018, Parker Solar Probe has ventured into the sun’s corona—the outermost layer of its atmosphere. The spacecraft is set to continue its mission, orbiting the sun until at least September. Its next two close approaches are scheduled for March 22 and June 19, NASA noted.
Parker Solar Probe holds the title of the fastest spacecraft ever built, reaching an incredible top speed of 430,000 mph during its closest approach, as reported by the Associated Press. The probe is equipped with a heat shield capable of enduring temperatures as high as 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Scientists hope the data collected by Parker will offer new insights into the origins of solar winds and unravel the mystery of why the sun’s corona is hundreds of times hotter than its surface.
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