Archived articles

Parker solar probe

A spacecraft is pictured against the orange flames of the sun
Space exploration
Parker Solar Probe team wins Collier Trophy
Published March 25, 2025
Award recognizes exceptional achievement in aeronautics and astronautics in America with respect to performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles
The Parker Solar Probe floats in front of the sun, whose size takes up the rest of the image.
Space exploration
A record-setting flyby for Parker Solar Probe
Published Jan 2, 2025
NASA's record-setting spacecraft was just 3.8 million miles from the sun's surface—the closest any human-made object has ever come to a star
Artist's rendering of the Parker Solar Probe in the Sun's corona
Mission midpoint: Parker Solar Probe makes 12th encounter with sun
Published May 31, 2022
As the spacecraft prepares its next flyby, take a look back at the record-setting mission already considered by NASA to be a smashing success
Artist’s impression of Parker Solar Probe approaching the Alfvén critical surface
Outer space
Parker Solar Probe touches the sun
Published Dec 15, 2021
The spacecraft, built and operated by APL, has made its first pass through the sun's upper atmosphere, an area called the corona
Solar wind, as captured by the WISPR instrument aboard the Parker Solar Probe
Parker Solar Probe
Behind howls of solar wind, quiet chirps reveal its origins
Published Jan 15, 2020
Small chirps, squeaks, and rustles recorded by the Parker Solar Probe hint at the origin of mysterious solar wind
Coronal event
Parker Solar Probe
Data offers insights into burning questions
Published Dec 5, 2019
After completing three of 24 passes around the sun, the Parker Solar Probe shares data that adds to our understanding of space phenomena
Artist's rendering of the Parker Solar Probe
Outer space
Parker Solar Probe circles the sun
Published Nov 20, 2018
The data gathered during its orbit will be relayed back to mission control beginning Dec. 7
Parker Solar Probe mission control room
Parker Solar Probe phones home after racing around the sun
Published Nov 8, 2018
Mission controllers at Applied Physics Lab receive status beacon signal after spacecraft completes its first perihelion
Artist's rendering of the probe approaching the sun
Into the unknown
Parker Solar Probe readies for close encounter
Published Nov 5, 2018 Video
Tonight, the probe will reach its first perihelion, when it will pass within 15 million miles of the sun's surface
Artist's rendering of the probe approaching the sun
Parker Solar Probe
The fastest, hottest mission under the sun
Published Oct 31, 2018
Spacecraft shatters records as it prepares for its first solar encounter