NASA's spacecraft made history by approaching the Sun

This event is rare in human history. A spacecraft is about to touch the Sun! It is unimaginable. The advancements in science are astonishing. The first spacecraft to venture so close to the Sun is NASA's Parker Solar Probe. It has entered the Sun's corona and is collecting data on solar wind, temperature, and radiation. This mission is not only answering scientists' long-standing questions but also opening new horizons for future space exploration.

The total cost of building and operating the Parker Solar Probe is about 1.5 billion USD, making it one of NASA's most expensive and ambitious projects. Advanced technology and materials were used in its construction. The thermal protection system (heat shield) was a particularly costly part, with an estimated cost of 700 million USD. The probe was launched in August 2018 via a Delta IV Heavy rocket, with around 350 million USD spent on the launch process. A budget has been allocated for managing the entire mission, data analysis, and the Deep Space Network operations, with approximately 450 million USD allocated for the mission's duration (until 2025).

The planning for this mission began in 2007. It took about 12 years to build and launch the probe, which will continue working until 2025. It will complete 24 orbits around the Sun by 2025. To get this close to the Sun, special technology was needed to withstand extreme heat and radiation. The Delta IV Heavy rocket was used to overcome the Sun's gravity, a costly endeavor. NASA has conducted nearly two decades of research and development for this project.

The Parker Solar Probe is the first spacecraft in human history to enter the Sun's corona. It is currently passing just 6.2 million kilometers from the Sun. No spacecraft has ever been this close to the Sun to collect data. The probe is working in the Sun's extreme temperatures, where the surrounding environment reaches nearly 1377°C, but thanks to its heat shield, the interior equipment operates at a mere 30°C. The Parker Solar Probe was not designed to return. It will eventually "burn" or be destroyed inside the Sun. Its primary mission is to collect data and send it back to Earth. NASA's main objective is to conduct in-depth research on the Sun's structure, activity, and solar wind. The goal is to understand the Sun's corona's structure and temperature, gather data on the origin and movement of solar wind, and analyze the Sun's magnetic field's impact and how it creates space weather. The mission also aims to improve technology for forecasting solar storms that affect Earth.

The thermal protection system (TPS) employs a 4.5-inch thick carbon-composite heat shield to protect the spacecraft from the Sun's heat, capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 1377°C. The probe is equipped with four main scientific instruments capable of analyzing solar wind, temperature, magnetic fields, and solar radiation.

The Parker Solar Probe is sending data about the solar wind and magnetic fields back to Earth using NASA's Deep Space Network. Advanced GPS and radio signals are used to track the probe's position and speed. Scientists on Earth are monitoring the probe's orbit.

Although the mission is managed by NASA, scientists from various countries are participating in the research. The main scientists and engineers are from NASA, while the European Space Agency scientists are collaborating on solar wind research, and Japan and India have helped with solar radiation and data analysis.

According to NASA, the Parker Solar Probe mission has been extremely successful so far. It is providing data that answers many long-standing questions from scientists. In the future, this mission will play a crucial role in space weather forecasting and solar energy research.

The Parker Solar Probe mission is a historic step for humanity. It has opened a new path for understanding the Sun's activity. The success of this mission will not only benefit current space research but also enrich future space exploration.#