The Parker Solar Probe is a historic mission launched by NASA with the primary goal of "touching" the Sun, or more accurately, studying the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere, known as the solar corona. The mission was launched on August 12, 2018, and it marked the first time that a spacecraft was sent on a mission to "touch" the Sun.

The Parker Solar Probe is named after Dr. Eugene Parker, an astrophysicist who is known for his groundbreaking work on solar wind, which is the constant outflow of charged particles from the Sun. The probe's mission is to study the solar corona and the solar wind to help scientists better understand fundamental solar and space physics.

To achieve its goals, the Parker Solar Probe had to be equipped with advanced heat-resistant materials and a cutting-edge heat shield to withstand the extreme temperatures and radiation of the Sun's outer atmosphere. As it gets closer to the Sun, the probe will gather valuable data on the Sun's magnetic fields, solar wind, and other phenomena that affect space weather and can impact Earth.

The Parker Solar Probe is part of NASA's mission to improve our understanding of the Sun and its influence on space weather, which can have significant effects on technology and infrastructure on Earth, including communication and navigation systems, power grids, and more. This mission represents a significant milestone in solar and space science and contributes to our knowledge of the Sun's behavior and its impact on our solar system.