It's Surprisingly Hard to Go to the Sun

The Sun contains 99.8 of the mass in our solar system. Its gravitational pull is what keeps everything here, from tiny Mercury to the gas giants to the Oort Cloud, 186 billion miles away. But even though the Sun has such a powerful pull, it's surprisingly hard to actually go to the Sun: It takes 55 times more energy to go to the Sun than it does to go to Mars.
Why is it so difficult? The answer lies in the same fact that keeps Earth from plunging into the Sun: Our planet is traveling very fast - about 67,000 miles per hour - almost entirely sideways relative to the Sun. The only way to get to the Sun is to cancel that sideways motion.
Since Parker Solar Probe will skim through the Sun's atmosphere, it only needs to drop 53,000 miles per hour of sideways motion to reach its destination, but that's no easy feat. In addition to using a powerful rocket, the Delta IV Heavy, Parker Solar Probe will perform seven Venus gravity assists over its seven-year mission to shed sideways speed into Venus' well of orbital energy. These gravity assists will draw Parker Solar Probe's orbit closer to the Sun for a record approach of just 3.83 million miles from the Sun's visible surface on the final orbits.
Though it's shedding sideways speed to get closer to the Sun, Parker Solar Probe will pick up overall speed, bolstered by Sun's extreme gravity - so it will also break the record for the fastest-ever human-made objects, clocking in at 430,000 miles per hour on its final orbits.
Read more: www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/...
Music: Percs and Pizz from Killer Tracks.
Credit: NASA's Godddard Space flight Center
This video is public domain and along with other supporting visualizations can be downloaded from the Scientific Visualization Studio at: svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/13017
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[@vectoredthrust5214]

It's so bizarre to think it actually takes more energy to get something to fall into the sun than it takes to shoot it out of the solar system, but when you know orbital mechanics it makes perfect sense

[@breal9014]

Vectored Thrust its all fake! The Governments created "space" and everything about it.

[@MattJohno2]

Yeah, KSP tought me that, lol. Also, B Real - People have known about space thousands of years before the word "government" even existed.

[@lanceripplinger8352]

This is amazing! I never thought about the challenges of getting closer to the Sun, until it was explained so well in this video. I can't imagine the difficulty in also trying to shield the probe from the Sun's intense radiation. I can see why getting Messenger to Mercury was such a difficult task!

[@kenholdredge3941]

I have a bridge over the Grand Cannon I would like to sell you.

[@cidvisions]

Will this qualify as the fastest man made object?

[@swiessin]

Yes, it will. The video description gives some detail not in the video itself.

[@ManaBDew]

I'm watching the ISS PASS OVER ARKANSAS 😁👍🛰💫🌎🐗💨🇺🇸 Godspeed & 👍 great!!! From: Larry Whittington Sincerely Time 8:53P.m. East of The Rock🤷‍♂️😁👍🇺🇸

[@negkoray]

Thank you KSP!

[@thethrowinsamoan8767]

Amazing video!!! So fascinating our own Star the Sun is...more educational videos like this please NASA😮😍😍🔥☀️⚡️🌌🌠🌎

[@breal9014]

TheThrowinSamoan8 your being lied to. Space is created by the Governments

[@GK_Bank]

Good Luck For This Launch to Humanity and Solar System Exploration.

[@chimkinNuggz]

So does this mean we'll have up close pictures of venus too?

[@hamric0401]

There are no cameras on Parker. Just instruments to measure solar wind, particle composition, radiation, etc.

[@joshuaomer9644]

RuggedALAN No, but we already have plenty of those!

[@b1aflatoxin]

I'm jonesing for discovery!!! :D I'm really hoping for some juicy data or photos this November, following the mission's first successful perihelion. ;) Good luck, everyone!

[@kellycny65]

Excellent video by NASA, which still performs wonderful science despite the lack of attention since the Apollo and Shuttle programs ended.

[@Marcellobigongialix]

Incredibile! Grande missione!!!🚀📡

[@hinglemccringleberry5431]

Awesome! Good luck guys (and girls)!

[@yoshi6236]

Anyone who plays KSP already knows this. Nonetheless this was an interesting and well made video to watch. (also why no metric system)

[@Pottery4Life]

Metric/SI units please.

[@Teufeltusken]

Each visit at the closest approaches will be a bit over 2 hours. 3 hours including approach and retreat.

[@prasenjit_konar]

Amazing!

[@Whitey166]

Why Do you have to launch the Rocket directly pointed at the Sun? Cant you just launch it a bit in the opposite direction the earth is moving arround the Sun, so You compensate the sideways speed?

[@myriadconstructionservices9382]

when does it arrive at the sun?

[@pat21784]

This is incredible -- we're finally gonna get to see what the dark side of the sun looks like!

[@augendergoetterinderferne]

Pat Curran sun of a b you made me laugh

[@exploringfamilylifewithdie2438]

Thank you for not using a robot voice.

[@juliobro1]

Ummm...maybe it was hard a few years back, but after landing a small probe on a moving comet. I think the Sun, massive, relatively static, and closer, might be a tad easier.

[@mabl3]

Nice video! But what's all this in _real_ units? :P

[@cihanfatihi]

Then aim left of the Sun so rocket can go where ever you want. It doesn't sound so hard.

[@rogy9749]

i can't wait for the launch

[@Quantm179]

That seems kind of odd. Is there just too much space garbage to use the earth and moon in the orbital trajectory?

[@FittZone.]

Just go when it is night 😑

[@michaelfarrell4824]

Does the gravity assist from Venus slow down the craft because of it's retrograde rotation? :/

[@joshuaomer9644]

Bram Borremans Venus' orbital direction is the same as all the other planets, which is what matters for a gravity assist. A gravity assist from Venus is no different than any other planet.

[@adrianocanolla1383]

Venus has a retrograde rotation, not orbit.

[@ethanboomoffical]

Then go at night time

[@xtraspecialmango]

Not if you go at night. Duh!!!

[@taesbaeisjeongguk1557]

MintSauce ! Bruh.... The earth rotates in its own axis making the other side the night and the other side morning bruhhhh

[@timelapse7454]

😀😂

[@ZoniesCoasters]

@@taesbaeisjeongguk1557 whoosh

[@hudaakka6986]

GoOD LuCK

[@SticksUWP]

They should go at night so it's not so hot... but seriously, I hope the probe will play Rusted Root's "Laugh as the Sun" on loop.

[@SticksUWP]

Yes.. that I am serious about. Things like that are very important.

[@therickson100]

Interesting and informative video. Too bad they used such cartoonish graphics.

[@joshuaomer9644]

therickson100 It's not the medium the information is conveyed through that is important, it is the information itself.

[@dennismadigan2023]

That's how they roli. "If it looks fake it must be real". They have to use cartoons because it's all fake

[@colinmabey240]

Hmmm Just a thought here. What data do we intend to get traveling at that speed. What are the chances of it not reaching the Sun. Will we be shown the data received or will we get CGI's like past missions, of what someone thinks is happening.

[@dennismadigan2023]

It sure is expecially since we didn't even get to the moon yet. They were just working on how to get past the Van Allen belts.

[@ZoniesCoasters]

You realise they're called belts for a reason right? They don't compleatly cover the whole earth. And the apollo missions went through the weaker edges and weren't in them for long.

[@dennismadigan2023]

Zonies Coasters that's funny

[@ZoniesCoasters]

@@dennismadigan2023 okay just did a quick bit of research. They do cover quite a huge bit of earth but when you look at diagrams you can see it has obvious thicker and thinner parts and the dangers of radiation are heavily dependent on amount of time spent exposed and with the parts they went through it wasn't a dangerously high level for the amount of time they spent in it. However an orbiting station at the same level as the belts would have major issues as it's constantly in them.

[@dennismadigan2023]

Zonies Coasters again that is funny. I seen a video some years back and I think it was Neil or Buzz that was asked " how did you get through the Van Allen belts?" His reply showed he was confused and said he didn't know anything about that and blah blah blah he went on. Buzz said " we didn't go there"

[@ZoniesCoasters]

@@dennismadigan2023 source?

[@abpccpba]

No music human voice is plenty.

[@flybeep1661]

Music is ok as long as it isn't too intrusive.

[@salvadorsantamaria4070]

USE THE METRIC SYSTEM!!!!!!!!!

[@jackmellone1210]

no its not.

[@radioboyintj]

the rain exploded with a mighty crash as we fell in to the sun and the first one said to the second one there i hope you’re having fun!

[@Diamondusa7]

"First human object"

[@JustYaeWendt]

Caesar ;)

[@curtieson]

"Parker Solar Probe will hurtle past the Sun at 430,000 MPH. The very first human-made object to get that close." Certainly NASA understands the difference between velocity and distance... So what did you mean to say? How close is "that close"? Searching shows Helios-B is the closest object, still out there, getting closer and closer (I'd guess?). Can't find how close it is now though.

[@MTNSMN]

Not sure if this is a good idea, unless we are certain to find a cure for cancer by kissing the sun.

[@SunriseFireberry]

And relatively easy to get deep fried

[@PrincessTS01]

someone have mr spock calculate for time warp.

[@dyngbld]

It's just a jump to the left, then a step to the right.

[@worksmartpaul]

This definitely won't take long

[@nightstringers]

I think it would be safer to go at night ,it will be cooler …

[@breal9014]

Cant get to the sun if "space" is not real

[@Alysm-Aviation]

could you be so kind as to provide me with a functional FE based map?

[@breal9014]

Alysm there are many. All you have to do is Google "flat earth map" under images or pictures. The United Nations(the ones helping cover up FE) has the flat earth map symbol as their logo.

[@kroon275]

Hows this a surprise???

[@joshuaomer9644]

K Roon Lots of people just haven't given much thought to orbital mechanics, that's all.

[@Virakotxa]

Or we could use that sixties tech and plant a flag there... 😏

[@JustYaeWendt]

Virakotxa exactly.

[@joshuaomer9644]

I get the feeling neither of you have any idea what your talking about.

[@JustYaeWendt]

Joshua Omer to each their own really, believe what you will Sir.

[@Virakotxa]

Just Wendt Well said. It is after all, the most harmless myth, and given the lack of actual proof, a matter of belief.

[@JustYaeWendt]

Virakotxa indeed.

[@Domispitaletti]

I dont know if you guys have PR support at Nasa but, it would be global event if you SEND SOME FLAT EARTHERS TO SPACE and film all the mission...now think about the look in their faces when they realize that earth is not flat😂All the world watching it😂

[@bzaden]

MINEIRO why have they not done it then and settled this debate??imagine the look on the worlds face when NASA is proved wrong

[@Domispitaletti]

bzaden gaming ok dude😂😂😂

[@kienng4510]

bzaden gaming It's simple: it is mental to waste billions to send a FE to space, especially given the chance that he lacks cognitive capacity to process the new information. And even if that FE is convinced, the other FEs back on earth won't believe it.

[@jeremybyington]

bzaden gaming is trying to establish that he is a flat earther just in case NASA decides to hand out free trips to space.

[@breal9014]

MINEIRO yea only is "space" was real

[@minde961]

:)

[@thetrollpatrol8799]

I don't think it's surprising at all.

[@ShifuCareaga]

why is it "surprisingly" hard? it's THE SUN it cannot be easy. I personally do not think it will make it that long in working order.

[@joshuaomer9644]

Shifu Careaga What do you base that opinion off of (that it won't make it that long)?

[@ShifuCareaga]

3 things 1) we lack the shielding technology to handle very close approach, there are too many things to go wrong, and a single flare and it's over 2) the different charge level of the satellite, perhaps even unpredictable changes in charge, will probably damage some key electronics equipment for control 3) Aside from heat and flares, I think Xray and gamma ray will affect the steady-state semiconductors, causing them to lose correct functionality. It's bad enough when you're dealing with magnetic fields getting stronger exponentially as you approach, but also there are various plasma layers with turbulent "wind" in them that can easily damage the equipment. I am sure NASA/ESA will do their best to shield and provide means to fix it, ut all those long passes around planets are going to increase the opportunities for the satellite to get fried, the longer it remains in orbit. Every-time it rounds the planet there's a potential cooloff and that'll cause flexing in the materials from a superheated state to a not super heated state. IOW - a miracle if they pull it off. Frankly I don't see how they will avoid utter saturation either. But I guess they have filters planned... but we won't be looking at the sun for visible light I can guarantee you that..

[@joshuaomer9644]

Shifu Careaga 1) They've designed a heat shield specific for the occasion, and it is very low-tech. The environment the satellite will be in is a very high-temperature, low-heat environment (if you don't understand the difference between temperature and heat, I recommend you look into it), and it's shield is more than adequate to protect all of the instruments. 2) They shield sensitive components that would be affected by changes in "charge", and they've been doing that for a while. For example, Juno (the Jupiter orbiter) has its sensitive electronic components in a titanium box, which protects it from Jupiter's crazy magnetic fields. 3) I covered the magnetic thing above. As far as gamma rays affecting the computers and such, they've dealt with this before, too. Most spacecraft have at least 3 computers on board. If one of those computers starts giving answers that are different from the other 2, that computer reboots to a previous state, is checked out by the other 2 computers, and then continues. Also, the "wind" you speak of will be incredibly weak at the distances this probe will be at. The probes thrusters that maintain the heat shield pointing towards the sun will easily compensate for any solar wind that comes its way. You are right about the visible light, though. As far as I know, they're not taking any visible light photos, just taking different measurements. It can be fun to think that we know more than hundreds of engineers and scientists working together on a project, but the vast majority of the time we don't. They know what they're doing, they've got this.

[@NASAGoddard]

We have one camera that will image the Sun's atmosphere. Parker Solar Probe will also measure things we can't see: www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/parker-solar-probe-instruments

[@NASAGoddard]

The temperature in the corona is very high, but there's not much heat transfer. Plus we've designed it to withstand this environment: www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/traveling-to-the-sun-why-won-t-parker-solar-probe-melt

[@whatstarsreallylooklike2944]

The son is closer than we think :)

[@b1aflatoxin]

Very clever! ;)

[@nikhilgore5450]

Go planet by planet😞😞

[@JustYaeWendt]

the stoned dude exactly sad times.

[@Nova_1945]

Nothing can get close to sun, otherwise you get it. forget the heat or energy, there is no way that you can escape from its gravitational force. Do you even know how big it is? The force of it..

[@DanielFenandes]

Oh. You gotta tell that to those poor scientists developing the project. They don't seem know that

[@davidfilmer1]

You're not taking angular momentum into account. An object could safely close-orbit a supermassive black hole.

[@Nova_1945]

David Filmer how? go into detail please.

[@frankeinstein3232]

This is the debate we have when we are completely ignorant of Science. This guy claims *_"OH SO BIG!"_* The next guy responds *_"NOT BIG ENOUGH!"_* Quite possibly the dumbest conversation of all time & nobody even knows Why that is.

[@frankeinstein3232]

Daniel Fernandes - those Scientists keep telling us REPEATEDLY that the Gravitational Model does not work the way it should. They are dumbfounded trying to explain the Sun's 25 day into 35 Day rotation + the counter-rotation of Jupiter. Yet you seem to think that they know everything. Unfortunately everything is wrong. The Earth is not moving 67,000 mph. The Earth is moving over 2.5+ MILLION mph around the Universe. Yet we tell ourselves that the air, which is as motionless as ourselves, is held down by Gravity. The Math is BROKEN on all levels.

[@ksmi9109]

Who woulda thunk?

[@Derpster2493]

Space oars and martian slave rowers would do the same.

[@Greenpoloboy3]

The reason why man has not yet gone to the sun is because it doesn't have a solid surface. . If man created a boat-like vehicle, it would be possible.

[@think_ffs3934]

I hear there's a lot of duck-boat owners looking to unload them cheap... I see a cost-effective mission proposal!

[@bzaden]

A submarine would do the trick

[@Greenpoloboy3]

Covered in heat protective materials this could be a success.

[@pramodjadhav4083]

3rd

[@ratatataraxia]

Be careful of getting too close, don’t want your wax wings to melt nasa.

[@JustYaeWendt]

Ma Ni lol awww this was precious...as if they had wings...

[@TheXxxcutegirlxxx]

FIRST HUEHUEHUE

[@jeckobandit69]

terrible explanation

[@Szperacz90]

I dont belive

[@joshuaomer9644]

Artur W Well, fortunately for everyone else, what you believe has zero bearing on reality.

[@natemtz6661]

But we live in a dome and the sun orbits our flat land, they say.

[@casyleer144]

Duh, We can't leave low Earth orbit, Everyone get your telescopes and P900s ready, If the Suns, 93,000,000 miles away this should take a while and we should be able to capture it's flight towards it, Especially when it's going to be lite up like a Christmas tree, From the sun's reflection if light upon the probes surface....

[@Alysm-Aviation]

you do realise that leaving LEO is not really a problem, it just requires fairly expensive powerful rockets.

[@Alysm-Aviation]

Casy Leer “not a single machine” besides every single rocket that they have sent out to do exactly that... Have you seen how massive these rockets are? Have you seen the sheer amount of force they put out? That is more than any jet engine will ever produce.

[@frankeinstein3232]

You see the "Juno New Jupiter." You see the Counter-Rotation. Do you see Earth LOCKED between two Fields moving in 2 different directions? Do you see that which is driving Earth's spin + orbit? Do you. . .