NASA Parker Solar Probe Sets Solar Flyby Record Again with March 2025 Mission

On 22 March 2025, the NASA Parker Solar Probe embarked on yet another solar flyby to gather data from our galaxy’s closest star, the Sun. This flyby was similar to the probe’s flyby on Christmas Eve 2024 which set a solar flyby record.

NASA Parker Solar Probe Keeps The Records Level With Its Recent Solar Flyby

The NASA Parker Solar Probe’s last solar flyby was conducted on 24 December 2024. During this flyby, the solar probe hit an impressive speed of 430,000 mph, bringing it within 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s radius.

The next flyby which took place on 22 March 2025 kept this previous record intact. During this second flyby, the Parker Solar Probe’s speed was 430,000 mph bringing it 3.8 million miles close to the Sun.

Just like with the last flyby, the probe aims to gather data on the Sun’s activities, hence expanding our understanding of our closest star. Some of the data that the probe will gather during this flyby will have to do with the nature of solar winds and the activities occurring around the Sun’s outside atmosphere.

In order to gather this data, the Parker Solar Probe will rely on its various equipment. A system check on 16 March 2025 showed the operational state of all four scientific equipment onboard the probe.

This check gave the green light for this flyby as all equipment was in optimal operational condition. All data the probe collects will get to Earth for observation and analysis on 25 March 2025.

NASA Parker Solar Probe To Conduct Autonomous Flyby

Considering the distance between the probe and its Earth control centre during this flyby, it’ll be hard to maintain a stable connection. For this reason, the probe is to perform the flyby autonomously without any human intervention.
On 25 March 2025, NASA expects to establish a connection with the probe and assess its condition. The probe is humanity’s window to closely observe the Sun and its activities, hence helping to expand our understanding of this solar body.