SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 8

Solution: The correct answer is (A) To map solar wind origins and study the Sun's corona by flying closer than any previous mission, utilizing a carbon-composite heat shield and autonomous thermal regulation systems.
Explanation:
☛ NASA's Parker Solar Probe was launched to explore the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, and to understand the mechanisms that accelerate the solar wind and energetic particles.
☛ It travels closer to the Sun than any previous spacecraft, venturing within approximately 6.1 million kilometers (3.8 million miles) of the solar surface.
☛ To survive the extreme environment, it is equipped with a revolutionary Thermal Protection System (TPS), which is a 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite heat shield capable of withstanding temperatures reaching nearly 1,377°C (2,500°F).
☛ The spacecraft utilizes autonomous solar sensors and cooling systems using pressurized deionized water to constantly keep instruments shielded from direct sunlight.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Launch Date: It was launched on 12 August 2018 aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket.
☛ Naming Honor: It is the first NASA spacecraft named after a living person, astrophysicist Eugene Parker, who proposed the existence of solar wind in 1958.
☛ Speed Record: The probe is the fastest human-made object in history, achieving orbital speeds of up to approximately 700,000 km/h (430,000 mph) using gravity assists from Venus.
☛ Historic Milestone: In December 2021, Parker Solar Probe officially "touched the Sun" by successfully flying through the Sun's upper atmosphere (the corona).
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ In which year was NASA's Parker Solar Probe launched? → 2018
☛ Which astrophysicist is the Parker Solar Probe named after? → Eugene Parker
☛ What is the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere called? → Corona
☛ What material primarily forms the heat shield of the Parker Solar Probe? → Carbon-composite
☛ What is the name of ISRO's first dedicated solar mission? → Aditya-L1