Science and Technology question from JKAS Prelims, 2018 by JKPSC
NASA recently announced a new probe called Parker Probe which will study?
Last updated May 30, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option D —
Sun
Key Details About the Parker Solar Probe
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Mission Objective: To trace the flow of energy that heats the Sun's outer atmosphere (the corona) and understand what accelerates the solar wind and solar energetic particles.
Historical Milestone: It is the first spacecraft to "touch the Sun" by flying directly through the solar corona, the Sun's outermost atmosphere.
Name Origin: It is named in honor of the late astrophysicist Eugene Parker, who proposed the concept of solar wind in 1958. This marked the first time NASA named a spacecraft after a living person.
Key Engineering Features: To withstand the extreme heat and radiation (temperatures reaching nearly 1,377°C or 2,500°F near closest approach), the spacecraft is protected by a cutting-edge Thermal Protection System (TPS), which is an 8-foot-diameter carbon-composite shield.
Overview of Targets for Other Famous Missions:
Moon: Artemis Program (NASA), Chandrayaan Missions (ISRO).
