It launched this morning before dawn from Cape Canaveral, lofted by a ULA Delta Heavy rocket. The thing is destined to approach nearer and nearer to the Sun, continually adjusted into a tighter and tighter orbit by Venus' gravity over 7 years.
Lots of astrophysics there, since eventually it will be flying through the Sun's corona, its outermost atmosphere. It will also be in 'Hot Jupiter' territory, so it will learn what that environment's like. I'm curious what kind of chemistry is likely in that energetic an environment.
"Parker Solar Probe and its instruments will be protected from the Sun's heat by a 4.5-inch-thick, carbon-carbon composite heat shield. The shield's front surface will be able to withstand temperatures outside the spacecraft up to 2,500 degree Fahrenheit."
https://blogs.nasa.gov/parkersolarprobe/
NASA photo of the launch
Lots of astrophysics there, since eventually it will be flying through the Sun's corona, its outermost atmosphere. It will also be in 'Hot Jupiter' territory, so it will learn what that environment's like. I'm curious what kind of chemistry is likely in that energetic an environment.
"Parker Solar Probe and its instruments will be protected from the Sun's heat by a 4.5-inch-thick, carbon-carbon composite heat shield. The shield's front surface will be able to withstand temperatures outside the spacecraft up to 2,500 degree Fahrenheit."
https://blogs.nasa.gov/parkersolarprobe/
NASA photo of the launch