NASA's Parker probe achieved a new feat by reaching a record proximity to the Sun on Tuesday, just 6.2 million kilometers from its surface. This unprecedented rapprochement marks a key step in a seven-year mission, begun in August 2018, whose objective is to unveil the mysteries of our star, in particular those linked to solar storms, phenomena that can disrupt communications and electrical networks on Earth.
During this passage, called perihelion, the probe had to face extreme conditions, making any direct communication impossible with teams on the ground. Scientists, who do not expect to receive a confirmation signal until Friday, say they are optimistic that this crucial step will go well.
“A daring mission”
“This is an example of NASA's bold missions, accomplishing something no one has ever done before to answer long-standing questions about our universe,” said Arik Posner, Parker Solar Probe program scientist. . He added: “We look forward to receiving the first update from the ship and starting to receive scientific data in the coming(…) Read more on 20minutes
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Space: The Parker probe breaks the record for proximity to the Sun
