Credit: JHU/APL
The Solar Probe Plus spacecraft with solar panels folded
into the shadows of its protective shield, gathers data on
its approach to the Sun.
Posted on 09/04/2010 3:05:01 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AFP) – NASA said it is developing a car-sized satellite that by "no later than 2018" will plunge into the sun's outer atmosphere for an up-close study of its super-hot corona, solar wind and lethal radiation.
The ambitious project, first recommended at the dawn of the space age in 1958, will help "characterize and forecast the radiation environment in which future space explorers will work and live," the US space agency said Saturday on its website.
The sun probe is also part of President Barack Obama's long-term space policy announced in April calling for a "robotic exploration of the solar system" before sending US astronauts to orbit Mars by the mid-2030s.
NASA's Solar Probe Plus mission aims "to solve two key questions of solar physics: why is the sun's outer atmosphere so much hotter than the sun's visible surface and what propels the solar wind that affects Earth and our solar system?" said Dick Fisher, director of NASA's Heliophysics Division in Washington.
After a 144-million-kilometer (90-million-miles) journey to the sun including seven gravity-assists from planets including Venus, the Solar Probe Plus spacecraft will plunge directly into the sun's atmosphere some 6.4 million kilometers (4.0 million miles) from the star's surface.
It will tuck its two solar panels behind a revolutionary carbon-composite heat shield designed to withstand temperatures in excess of 1,400 degrees Celsius (2550 Fahrenheit) and take measurements with its sophisticated array of instruments.
The probe will also carry out several other experiments including studies of the particles that compose the solar wind, of the sun's electric and electromagnetic fields, of high-energy electrons, protons and ions, and 3D images of the corona.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Yes, but how does this help the Muslim world feel better about its achievments in math and science?
Seems to me that it would be smarter to do it at night when its cooler.
NASA Selects Science Investigations for Solar Probe Plus
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/sunearthsystem/main/solarprobeplus.html
Maybe if they sent some along, Islamic heros
to the end.
Rock and tree says....”There’s a jew hiding in the sun”.
The Solar Probe Plus spacecraft with solar panels folded
into the shadows of its protective shield, gathers data on
its approach to the Sun.
----------------------------
And just how is this supposed to increase self-esteem in Muslims? /sarc
CALLING ALL LUDDITES! ATTENTION ALL LUDDITES! CALLING ALL LUDDITES!
Please turn out to protest this unwarrented, unprovoked, and dangerous attack upon our sun!
This DESECRATION of the Solar surface may antagonize Father Sun to punish Mother Gaia with massive solar flares, destroying all human life..which is fine...and most non-human life, as well, a terrible tragedy!
There will be an Action Committee virtual meeting at 8 PM tomorrow on the Luddites United Forum at Democratic Underground to discuss plans for the usual ineffective demonstrations and marches.
Locally Sustainable Organic Toasted Tofu Treats and soy milk tea will be served after the meeting!
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