Parker Solar Probe

20183 m diameterSolar probe

LocationSolar orbit

Year2018

Size3 m diameter

TypeSolar probe

About Parker Solar Probe

The closest human-made object to the Sun. Will reach within 6.16 million km of the solar surface. Its heat shield withstands 1,370C. Travels at 692,000 km/h, the fastest object ever built. Named after Eugene Parker who predicted the solar wind.

Related Satellites

Ulysses

1990Solar probe

The first spacecraft to fly over the poles of the Sun. A joint ESA and NASA mission launched from th...

SOHO

1995Solar probe

The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, a joint ESA and NASA mission. Watches the Sun from a point 1...