<p>NASA's Parker Solar Probe has achieved a remarkable feat, hurtling through the Solar System at an astonishing speed of 635,266 kilometres (394,736 miles) per hour.</p>

<p>This milestone was reached during the probe's 17th orbit around the Sun, as it collects crucial data about the Sun's charged particle winds and magnetic fields, according to Science Alert.</p>

<p>Notably, this speed surpasses its previous record of 586,863.4 kilometres&nbsp;(364,660 miles) per hour, achieved just three years ago.</p>

<h2><strong>Unprecedented velocity</strong></h2>

<p>To put this incredible velocity into perspective, it's equivalent to an aircraft circumnavigating the Earth approximately 15 times in one hour or travelling from New York to Los Angeles in just over 20 seconds.</p>

<p>In addition to its record-breaking speed, the Parker Solar Probe has achieved a record proximity to the Sun.</p>

<p>It ventured to a distance of just 7.26 million kilometres&nbsp;above the Sun's scorching plasma surface. To visualise this, imagine standing a safe distance away from a blazing campfire – near enough to feel the heat and smell the smoke but not so close that your nose hairs singe.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/humanitys-next-big-catastrophe-could-lie-in-the-sun-predict-scientists-644862">Humanity's next big 'catastrophe' could lie in the Sun, predict scientists</a></p>

<p>Parker Solar Probe's incredible achievements are not solely the result of powerful propellants. Instead, they are the outcome of a meticulously timed cosmic mini-golf game. To reach its desired location near the Sun's corona, the probe had to navigate Earth's orbital velocity.</p>

<p>NASA employed a powerful rocket to align the probe's trajectory and set it on a course that would cancel out Earth's orbital speed.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;NASA set to launch spacecraft to a metal rich asteroid on October 12&nbsp;</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasa-set-to-launch-spacecraft-to-a-metal-rich-asteroid-on-october-12-word-news-wion-644602/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The probe's path was timed to coincide with the orbital position of Venus. This allowed the probe to use&nbsp;Venus's gravitational pull to slow down, facilitating its descent into the Solar System's inner regions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the Parker Solar Probe continues its mission, it is expected to complete a total of 24 orbits around the Sun. Ultimately, it will dive even closer, providing NASA with invaluable data to enhance our understanding of the Sun's behaviour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE:</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></p>


NASA's Parker Solar Probe has achieved a remarkable feat, hurtling through the Solar System at an astonishing speed of 635,266 kilometres (394,736 miles) per hour.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe has achieved a remarkable feat, hurtling through the Solar System at an astonishing speed of 635,266 kilometres (394,736 miles) per hour. This milestone was reached during the probe's 17th orbit around the Sun, as it collects crucial data about the Sun's charged particle winds and magnetic fields, according to Science Alert. Notably, this speed surpasses its previous record of 586,863.4 kilometres (364,660 miles) per hour, achieved just three years ago. Unprecedented velocity To put this incredible velocity into perspective, it's equivalent to an aircraft circumnavigating the Earth approximately 15 times in one hour or travelling from New York to Los Angeles in just over 20 seconds. In addition to its record-breaking speed, the Parker Solar Probe has achieved a record proximity to the Sun. It ventured to a distance of just 7.26 million kilometres above the Sun's scorching plasma surface. To visualise this, imagine standing a safe distance away from a blazing campfire – near enough to feel the heat and smell the smoke but not so close that your nose hairs singe. Also read | Humanity's next big 'catastrophe' could lie in the Sun, predict scientists Parker Solar Probe's incredible achievements are not solely the result of powerful propellants. Instead, they are the outcome of a meticulously timed cosmic mini-golf game. To reach its desired location near the Sun's corona, the probe had to navigate Earth's orbital velocity. NASA employed a powerful rocket to align the probe's trajectory and set it on a course that would cancel out Earth's orbital speed. Also watch | NASA set to launch spacecraft to a metal rich asteroid on October 12 The probe's path was timed to coincide with the orbital position of Venus. This allowed the probe to use Venus's gravitational pull to slow down, facilitating its descent into the Solar System's inner regions. As the Parker Solar Probe continues its mission, it is expected to complete a total of 24 orbits around the Sun. Ultimately, it will dive even closer, providing NASA with invaluable data to enhance our understanding of the Sun's behaviour. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

NASA's Parker Solar Probe smashes speed record, ventures closest to Sun

A new probe built by NASA and the European Space Agency set off on a blazing hot journey to the sun on Sunday (February 9) to take the first close-up look at the star's polar regions, a mission expected to yield insight into how solar radiant energy affects Earth.

Solar probe embarks on unprecedented mission to map sun's polar regions

solar-probe

Solar Probe, News on Solar Probe, stories on Solar Probe, articles on Solar Probe, Solar Probe stories at Wion, Solar Probe news, Solar Probe latest news

solar probe

NASA's Parker Solar Probe smashes speed record, ventures closest to Sun

Solar probe embarks on unprecedented mission to map sun's polar regions