Parker Solar Probe Breaks Record and Becomes the Sun's Closest Spacecraft |

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Parker Solar Probe holds Sun's closest approach record by a man-made object

Parker Solar Probe now holds the record for the closest appearance of the sun by an object made by the man. The spacecraft broke the current record of 26.55 million miles from the Sun's surface on October 29, 2018 at approximately 13:04. EDT, according to Parker Solar Probe team calculations

(NASA) – Parker Solar Probe now holds the record for the closest approach to the sun by a man-made object. The spacecraft broke the current record of 26.55 million miles from the Sun's surface on October 29, 2018 at approximately 13:04. EDT, as calculated by the Parker Solar Probe team.

The previous closest solar approach record was set by the German-American Helios 2 satellite in April 1976. As the Parker Solar Probe mission progressed, the spacecraft would break several times. records, with a final approach close to 3.83 million miles from the Sun's surface expected in 2024.

"Parker Solar Probe has only been launched 78 days ago, and we are now closer to our star than from any other spaceship in history, "said Andy Driesman, Project Manager, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Maryland." It's a proud moment for the team, even if we stay focused on our first solar encounter, which will start on October 31. "

Parker solar probe is also set to break the record for the fastest spacecraft traveling from the sun in October 29 at about 22:54 EDT The current record heliocentric speed is 153,454 miles at the hour, established by Helios 2 in April 1976.

The Parker Solar Probe team periodically measures the speed and position of the spacecraft to help tough NASA Deep Space Network or DSN bucket.

Parker Solar Probe will begin its first solar encounter on October 31, continuing to fly closer and closer to the Sun's surface until it reaches its first perihelion – the nearest point of the Sun – around 22:28. EST on November 5th.

The DSN sends a signal to the spacecraft which then retransmits it to the DSN, allowing the team to determine the speed and position of the spacecraft according to the timing and signal characteristics.

The speed and position of Parker Solar Probe were calculated using DSN measurements made up to October 24, and the team used this information, as well as known orbital forces , to calculate the speed and position of the spacecraft from this point.

Parker Solar Probe will begin its first solar encounter on October 31, continuing to fly closer and closer to the Sun's surface until it reaches its first perihelion – the closest point to the Sun – to 10:28 p.m.. November 5th, EST.

The spacecraft will be subjected to extreme heat and radiation conditions while providing humanity with unprecedented observations of a star and helping us understand the phenomena that have puzzled scientists since decades.

knowledge of NASA's efforts to understand the Sun, where changing conditions can propagate in the solar system and affect the Earth and other worlds.