NASA launched the Parker Solar Probe into space in August 2018. The spacecraft explores the Sun and has had numerous successes so far. Including the highest speed among machines built by humanity or the distance from a star in the solar system. In a few weeks, the list of achievements will expand to include something else.
NASA is getting ready to execute the closest flyby of the Sun in history. The Parker Solar Probe is scheduled to do this next month. This has to happen precisely December 24. If the ship does this, it will only be found about 6.2 million km from the star’s surface Solar System.
For comparison, the average distance of the Earth from the Sun is less than 150 million km. Mercury, on the other hand, is in an orbit 58 million km away. The spacecraft will be closer than 10 times the star’s radius.
It is worth adding that in preparation for the record approach to the Sun, the ship performed another maneuver this week. He was him flyover of Venuswhich took place on November 6. The planet was used as a gravitational assist.
During Wednesday’s flyby of Venus, the Parker Solar Probe made a close approach to the planet only 376 km. This maneuver will adjust the ship’s trajectory to its final orbital configuration, which will then allow for a record approach to the Sun. It is worth adding that a few years ago the WISPR (Wide-Field Imager for Parker Solar Probe) instrument was directed towards the atmosphere of this hellish world and this allowed the collection of valuable data.
Source: geekweek.interia.pl
