First closest approach
1 Nov 2018
Launch
31 July
2018
Sun
Mercury
orbit
Venus
Earth
Venus flyby
no.1
28 Sept 2018
First minimum
closest approach
19 Dec 2024
Closest passes of the sun, miles
Parker Solar Probe, launch 2018
3.7m
Helios 2, launched 1976
27m
Solar array
cooling
system
Thermal
protection
system
3m
High gain
antenna
Solar
array
wings
Closest passes of the sun, miles
First closest
approach
5 Nov 2018
Parker Solar Probe, launch 2018
3.7m
Helios 2, launched 1976
27m
Solar array
cooling
system
Thermal
protection
system
Launch
11 August
2018
Sun
Mercury
orbit
3m
Venus
Earth
Venus flyby
no.1
2 October 2018
First minimum
closest approach
December 2024
High gain
antenna
Solar array
wings