NASA's Parker Solar Probe has achieved a remarkable feat, solidifying its place as the fastest human-made object ever recorded. According to NASA, on June 29, the probe reached a remarkable speed of 635,266 km (394,736 miles) per hour, matching its own previous speed record set in 2018 since its launch.
The Parker Solar Probe's primary objective is to explore the Sun's outer corona, an elusive region extending millions of kilometers into space. This layer of the Sun's atmosphere is extraordinarily hot, with temperatures ranging from 1-3 million degrees Celsius, much hotter than the Sun's surface.
Operating closer to the Sun than any spacecraft before it, the Parker Solar Probe orbits within Mercury's orbit, gathering critical data on the origins and evolution of solar wind. This mission is essential for advancing space weather forecasting, which is crucial for protecting technology and life on Earth.
Shielded by a robust 11.43 cm carbon-composite barrier, the Parker Solar Probe withstands temperatures up to 1,377 degrees Celsius (2,500 degrees Fahrenheit). This protection allows the spacecraft to endure the extreme conditions of its planned seven-year mission, which includes completing 24 orbits around the Sun.
NASA anticipates that the Parker Solar Probe will achieve even greater speeds, approaching approximately 692,000 km (430,000 miles) per
Read more on economictimes.indiatimes.com