ArabiaWeather - NASA's Parker Solar Probe is preparing for an amazing historic step in 2024 .
On December 24 , this probe will approach the sun at a shorter distance than any previous spacecraft, giving it an importance similar to the human landing on the moon in 1969 .
It will be the first spacecraft to come this close to the sun, as it will reach speeds unprecedented for any human-made object, and its speed will exceed 195 km per second (435,000 miles per hour) , the equivalent of traveling by plane from London to New York within 30 seconds.
At the same time, the probe will be only 6.2 million kilometers away from the surface of the sun. This distance may seem large to many, but Nour Rawafi, the scientist participating in the project, confirmed that this mission will represent a huge achievement for humanity.
It is expected that this mission will be one of the most dangerous missions ever conducted, as the vehicle will be exposed to temperatures exceeding 1,400 degrees Celsius , and the vehicle will achieve this tremendous speed by rushing around the planet Venus, and this will enhance its orbit around the sun, increase its speed, and form a rapid entry and exit, with Sun environmental measurements, the biggest challenge in this mission.
The Parker Solar Probe was launched in 2018 , and in 2021 it achieved a monumental feat as the first spacecraft to enter the Sun's upper atmosphere, known as the corona. Since then, the probe has come 18 times closer to the Sun.
In a unique challenge, the probe defies harsh conditions by making rapid landings in the hot atmosphere, and its tremendous speed and heat shield were able to deal with these conditions, collecting valuable data for scientists on the ground.
The main goal is to detect gas related to the sun, as the sun's outer atmosphere is an environment with a temperature exceeding one million degrees Celsius, which is a mystery to scientists.
The corona also generates solar winds moving at a speed of 400 kilometers per second , which could affect communications devices and future space missions. The secret of these phenomena remains mysterious, and they may have major impacts on our planet.
Next year, the Parker Solar Probe will approach three additional times with the energy of the Sun, setting us up for exciting moments in the world of space exploration.
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Sources:
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