The NASA Parker Solar Probe has achieved a stunning milestone by becoming the fastest human-made object ever, breaking its own record with a speed of 394,736 miles per hour (635,266 kilometers per hour). This incredible feat occurred as the probe made its 17th close approach to the Sun, coming within just 4.51 million miles (7.26 million kilometers) of our star’s surface.
Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe’s mission is to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, to better understand solar wind, solar flares, and other solar phenomena that can impact Earth. Each close flyby, or “perihelion,” offers scientists a wealth of new data, invaluable for predicting space weather and protecting satellites, astronauts, and even power grids on Earth from solar storms.
The probe’s journey involves not just speed but also extreme heat management. It’s equipped with a 4.5-inch-thick (11.43-centimeter) carbon-composite shield to withstand temperatures around 1,400 degrees Celsius (2,550 degrees Fahrenheit), which is akin to being inside a blast furnace. Yet, thanks to this shield and innovative engineering, the probe’s instruments remain at a comfortable room temperature.
This record-breaking passage through the Sun’s corona has provided scientists with unprecedented insights into solar physics, helping to unravel mysteries about how energy and heat move through the Sun’s atmosphere. As the probe continues its mission, each new close encounter promises more exciting discoveries, painting a clearer picture of our life-giving star.
