Dec 27 (V7N) — NASA has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in space exploration as its Parker Solar Probe became the closest human-made object to the Sun. The spacecraft ventured within 3.8 million miles of the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, marking a historic moment in solar research.

After days of silence due to the intense heat and radiation near the Sun, the Parker Solar Probe re-established contact with NASA's operations team at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory on Thursday night. The "beacon tone" confirmed the spacecraft's safety and functionality.

On December 24, during its record-breaking flyby, the Parker Solar Probe endured extreme conditions, including temperatures nearing 1,800°F (980°C) and radiation levels unprecedented in human exploration. Traveling at a staggering speed of 430,000 miles per hour, the probe continues its mission to unravel the mysteries of the Sun.

NASA's Dr. Nicola Fox, Head of Science, emphasized the importance of the mission:

"People have studied the Sun for centuries, but you can't truly understand its atmosphere without going there. Receiving this signal is a crucial step forward for solar research."

The Parker Solar Probe aims to provide insights into the Sun's corona, including how its material heats to millions of degrees, the origins of the solar wind, and the acceleration of high-energy particles.

Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe has made 21 flybys of the Sun, each bringing it closer. Utilizing Venus's gravitational pull, the spacecraft has gradually adjusted its trajectory to achieve this historic proximity.

Detailed data from this flyby is expected to arrive by New Year's Day, offering new perspectives on solar activity and helping scientists understand the processes that impact Earth's space environment.

This achievement not only pushes the boundaries of human exploration but also promises to enhance our understanding of the star that sustains life on Earth.

END/RH/AJ