On Oct. 31, 2018, Parker Solar Probe began its first of 24 solar encounters.
Parker Solar Probe Starts First Solar Encounter
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On Oct. 31, 2018, Parker Solar Probe began its first of 24 solar encounters.
At about 10:54 p.m. EDT, Parker Solar Probe surpassed 153,454 miles per hour — as calculated by the mission team — making it the fastest-ever human-made object relative to the Sun.
On Sept. 25, 2018, Parker Solar Probe captured a view of Earth as it sped toward the first Venus gravity assist of the mission.
For the first time for a spacecraft, Parker Solar Probe completed an autonomous, closed-loop solar array angle control based on temperature.
On Oct. 3, Parker Solar Probe successfully completed its flyby of Venus at a distance of about 1,500 miles during the first Venus gravity assist of the mission.
We like to call Parker Solar Probe the coolest, hottest, fastest mission under the Sun — and fall 2018 will prove why.
