The POT continues to leave its mark on the history of space exploration by setting an unprecedented record in its distance from the Sun. The Parker space probe made its 17th solar flyby on recent September 27, approaching just 7.26 million kilometers from our mother star.
This milestone, according to the report of Meristationturns the Parker solar probe into the fastest human-made object and the one that has reached the closest proximity to the Sun to date.
The secret behind this impressive achievement
The Parker probe has taken advantage of the gravitational assist of the planet Venus to accelerate its speed to a staggering 635,266 kilometers per hour, setting its own record in the process. The main goal of this mission is to provide us with a deeper understanding of the functioning of the star that supports life on Earth.
A record-breaker at its finest.
Breaking two records at once, Parker Solar Probe has made its closest and fastest pass by the Sun yet. On Sept. 27, it flew only 4.5 million miles from our dynamic star, traveling at 394,736 miles per hour.
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— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) September 28, 2023
Despite its unprecedented approach to the Sun, The Parker probe continues to function normallywhich represents an extraordinary achievement, considering the extreme levels of heat and radiation to which it is exposed.
The conquest of space is one of the most ambitious challenges facing humanity, beginning with the exploration of our own solar system and expanding to the ends of the universe. Although this monumental task far exceeds our current understanding, we are steadily moving forward and discovering more about the cosmos as we go.
Recently, NASA stood out with the discovery of an essential component for life on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. This component is carbon, considered fundamental for life as we know it. This element is believed to be found beneath the frozen surface of Europa, which possibly harbors a liquid ocean beneath its outer layer. This discovery opens new perspectives in the search for life in unexplored places in our Lar System.