NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has once again ventured deep into the Sun’s atmosphere, equaling its own records for speed and proximity. Traveling at 430,000 mph and coming within 3.8 million miles of the solar surface, the probe collected valuable data from inside the Sun’s corona.

On March 22, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe completed its 23rd close approach to the Sun, coming within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometers) of the solar surface, tying its previous proximity record.

Figure 1. Parker Solar Probe Completes 23rd Close Flyby at 430,000 MPH

During the flyby, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe reached its top speed of 430,000 mph (692,000 km/h), a milestone it first achieved on December 24 [1]. All four scientific instruments were active, gathering crucial data from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona. As planned, the spacecraft operated autonomously during its closest approach and was later confirmed to be functioning normally by mission controllers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland, where it was designed and built. Parker is scheduled to transmit health and science data back to Earth on Tuesday, March 25. Figure 1 shows Parker Solar Probe Completes 23rd Close Flyby at 430,000 MPH.

This flyby, the second at this distance and speed, enables the Parker Solar Probe to capture unprecedented scientific measurements of the solar wind and related phenomena. Meanwhile, scientists are still analyzing data from the previous close approach in December.

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, launched in 2018, is the first spacecraft to enter the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona. Designed to study solar wind, space weather, and the Sun’s behavior, the mission aims to improve our understanding of factors that impact satellites, astronauts, and power grids on Earth [2]. To withstand extreme heat and radiation, the probe is equipped with a heat shield, allowing it to fly closer to the Sun than any previous spacecraft. Over its seven-year mission, Parker will conduct multiple close flybys, collecting data to help solve long-standing solar mysteries.

Reference:

1. https://scitechdaily.com/nasas-parker-probe-just-flew-through-solar-fire-at-430000-mph/
2. https://indiandefencereview.com/nasas-solar-probe-sun-at-430000-mph/

Cite this article:

Janani R (2025), NASA’s Parker Probe Surges Through Solar Flames at 430,000 MPH, AnaTechMaz, pp.287