Parker Solar Probe: Everything you should know

From the beginning of modern era, everybody used to see the sun and asked," What is the main source of sun energy? Why is it here? How did it become so powerful? etc". Scientists sent many probes in outer space to examine the behaviors of many factors of space, planets, exoplanets, stars etc. But it was impossible to send any satellites to the sun due to its extreme heat. But, in 12 August, 2018, NASA successfully launched a satellite to the sun which name was "Parker Solar Probe" and the name of the mission was "Touch the sun".

History of Parker Solar Probe:

The cost of this project is US$1,5 billion and was designed by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics laboratory. This mission was named after an American solar astrophysicist Eugene Parker. He developed the theory of supersonic solar wind and also predicted the Parker spiral shape of solar magnetic field in outer space. The Parker solar probe has carried the names of over 1.1 million people with an installed memory card.

The idea of this program actually originated from the Solar Orbiter project in 1990s. According to the plan, the solar probe had to use gravity assist of jupiter to enter in the polar orbit of sun. But this mission took higher cost and also it would take a long time, that is why the organization cancelled this mission.

later, the satellite was redesigned which used multiple Venus gravity assist to touch the sun. In May, 2017 the spacecraft was renamed with Parker Solar Probe by showing a respect to astrophysicist Eugene Parker.

Spacecraft shield:

As the spacecraft is going to near the sun, so it should be well-shielded to protect the spacecraft from extreme heat and temperature. The solar shield used here is 2.3 meter in diameter, 11.4 cm thick and hexagonal in shape. It was made of Reinforced carbon-carbon composite and was so designed that it can handle up to 1,370 °C. All scientific payloads were located in the center of the spacecraft and the shield was made to face the extreme temperature and heat of the sun. To minimize the absorption, a white reflective alumina (aluminum oxide) was used.

Launch:

Parker Solar Probe was launched in 12 August, 2018 which will be a historic moment for the whole mankind. Because, at the very first ever, a man-made satellite is going to study the sun from a very closest distance. Before it, nobody had ever imagined to place any spacecrafts in sun's orbit.

The original date of launch was 11 August, 2018, but due to some technical issues the launch was postponed to 12 August. The Parker Solar Probe was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force station Space Launch Complex-37 with Delta IV heavy rocket.

Touch the sun:

In order to study the sun, Parker Solar Probe will use Venus as a slingshot (gravity assist) for gravity boost. The trajectory of the spacecraft will be so that it will take seven Venus flybys over approximately seven years to gradually come closer to the sun. The orbit of the spacecraft would be highly elliptical to protect the electronic components from radiation.

The spacecraft will take a tour through the atmosphere of the sun as close as 3.8 million miles from surface of the sun. It will be seven times closer than any other spacecraft closest approach to the sun. It will explore the outermost layer of the sun which is called the corona.

Mission objectives:

1. Study of the flow of energy which heats up the solar corona and accelerates the solar wind.


2. To identify the structure and dynamics of the plasma and magnetic field at the sources of solar wind.


3. Identify the mechanisms which accelerate and transports the energetic particles.

The reason behind study of the sun:

1. The sun is the only star which is close to us. By experimenting on it, we can assume the behaviors of far most stars.


2. The sun is the only source of energy of earth. It is responsible for creation of life in the earth. So, by studying it, we can reveal the existence of life in the earth.


3. The weather in space is not static, that means it changes rapidly. The sun plays a major role in the solar system for changing the weather. The space weather can damage any electronic components of satellites. So, by studying it, we can predict the state of the weather which will help the scientists to operate the satellites.


4. The solar wind affects the earth's atmosphere. By studying it, we can assume its impact on earth and also minimize the negative effects on earth.


5. To go to space, the astronauts have to understand about the solar wind; because it is filled up in the entire space. So, they have to well aware about the space environment.