Title: Parker Solar Probe Sets New Record as Fastest Human-Built Object
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The Parker Solar Probe has achieved a momentous milestone, becoming the fastest man-made object in history. Launched in 2018, this innovative spacecraft is now orbiting the Sun, closer than any other human-made object has ever been.
Traveling at a staggering speed of 394,736 miles per hour, equating to approximately 0.059% the speed of light, the Parker Solar Probe has surpassed all previous records. For comparison, Voyager probes, currently departing our solar system, lag behind at a mere tenth of this speed. Even the International Space Station, orbiting the Earth, only reaches a modest 17,500 mph, while the fastest aircraft, the NASA/US Air Force X-15, manages a sluggish 4,520 mph.
Remarkably, this unmanned probe is expected to push even further, reaching speeds of up to 430,000 mph by 2025. Although it lacks a crew, the Parker Solar Probe is anything but empty. It carries a wealth of scientific instruments and sensors, making it almost like a vehicle in its own right. Remarkably, its weight is comparable to an old air-cooled VW Beetle, tipping the scales at around 1600 pounds.
This unprecedented velocity is accomplished through a series of gravity-assist maneuvers, taking advantage of flybys near Venus. Rather than relying on powerful engines, the Parker Solar Probe primarily consists of scientific instruments and heat shields, ensuring its core payload remains protected from extreme conditions.
For propulsion, the probe boasts just a dozen 4.4 newton hydrazine thrusters, producing a force of about one pound each. Despite its minuscule propulsion system, the Parker Solar Probe has surpassed all expectations, reaching unprecedented speeds.
The data collected by this revolutionary probe holds tremendous potential for remarkable scientific discoveries about our nearest star, the Sun. Scientists anticipate that the insights gained from the Parker Solar Probe’s journey will significantly contribute to our understanding of the Sun’s behavior, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in the near future.
With each passing day, the Parker Solar Probe hurtles through space, breaking barriers and revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos. Its unprecedented speed serves as a testament to the remarkable achievements of human engineering and scientific exploration.
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