Parker Solar Probe
Digital model of a spacecraft with a bus attached to a larger sun-shield. Two small solar panels are attached to the side of the bus, along with four rear-facing antennas.
Model of the probe
NamesSolar Probe (before 2002)
Solar Probe Plus (2010–2017)
Parker Solar Probe (since 2017)
Mission typeHeliophysics
OperatorNASA / Applied Physics Laboratory
COSPAR ID2018-065AEdit this at Wikidata
SATCATno.43592
Websiteparkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu
Mission duration7 years (planned)
Elapsed: 3 years, 10 months and 20 days
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerApplied Physics Laboratory
Launch mass685 kg (1,510 lb)
Dry mass555 kg (1,224 lb)
Payload mass50 kg (110 lb)
Dimensions1.0 m × 3.0 m × 2.3 m (3.3 ft × 9.8 ft × 7.5 ft)
Power343 W (at closest approach)
Start of mission
Launch date12 August 2018, 07:31 UTC
RocketDelta IV Heavy / Star-48BV
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-37
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference systemHeliocentric orbit
Semi-major axis0.388 AU (58.0 million km; 36.1 million mi)
Perihelion altitude0.046 AU (6.9 million km; 4.3 million mi; 9.86 R)
Aphelion altitude0.73 AU (109 million km; 68 million mi)
Inclination3.4°
Period88 days
Sun
Transponders
BandKa-band
X-band
Artwork of the spacecraft next to the Sun, enclosed in a circle with a yellow border. The words "Parker Solar Probe" are placed around the interior of the border, while the words "a mission to touch the Sun" are written inline in a smaller font in the bottom right of the image.
The official insignia for the Parker Solar Probe mission.