Legendary spacecraft that touched the sun and did not melt: Parker solar probe

Legendary spacecraft that touched the sun and did not melt: Parker solar probe
NASA's Parker Solar Probe (PSP), launched on August 12, 2018, has been designed with advanced technology to withstand the Sun's extreme heat, drawing a parallel to the myth of Icarus. Unlike Icarus, PSP is equipped to endure the Sun's in The Parker Solar Probe's ability to resist melting lies in understanding the difference between temperature and heat. In space, high temperatures do not necessarily equate to high heat transfer due to the sparse particle density. PSP's primary heat transfer method is radiation, effectively blocked by its Thermal Protection System (TPS). The TPS consists of two carbon plates with a carbon foam core, coated in white ceramic paint to reflect heat.Traveling through the Sun's corona, the probe encounters extremely high temperatures but low particle density, which minimizes heat transfer. The TPS heats up to around 1,400°C (2,552°F), while the instruments remain at a much cooler 29°C (84°F). The probe uses intelligent navigation and cooling systems, including autonomous shield adjustment and a cooling system for its solar panels, to maintain functionality.The Parker Solar Probe exemplifies modern engineering's ability to explore the Sun without succumbing to its heat. This mission, through advanced materials science, intelligent design, and autonomous navigation, continues to gather invaluable data about our closest star, transforming the myth of Icarus into a reality of exploration and discovery.Fascinating Facts:The Parker Solar Probe will come within 6 million kilometers (3.7 million miles) of the Sun, closer than any spacecraft before it.It will travel at speeds up to 700,000 kilometers per hour (430,000 miles per hour)