Feature Astronomy

How the Parker probe was built to survive close encounters with the sun

The tech bound for the sun’s atmosphere had to be tested for heat, rattle and cold

Parker probe illustration

HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT  The Parker Solar Probe, shown in this artist’s illustration, is about to go where no spacecraft has gone before: the sun. To make sure the probe can survive a dip in the solar atmosphere, engineers had to get creative in testing the technology.

APL, NASA GSFC

By Lisa Grossman

- More than 2 years ago

NASA has a mantra for preparing spacecraft to launch: “Test as you fly.”