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Parker Solar Probe’s heat shield arrives in Florida on April 18, 2018, and is unloaded at Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Florida, where it will eventually be reattached to the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft before launch in late July. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Ed Whitman

Part 5: Sunblock and instrumentation

The extreme conditions of the corona are one of the main reasons a solar probe mission like this hasn’t been undertaken before. But Parker features a series of innovations that will allow the probe to get close enough to do what needs to be done. |Short Read
Preparing for the Parker Solar Probe launch meant plenty of calculations and testing to get everything right. Photo: Levi Hutmacher/Michigan Engineering, Communications & Marketing

Part 4: Using the gravity of Venus to reach the sun

While NASA never intended for the probe to return to Earth, Venus represents a point of no return. |Short Read
Artist’s concept of the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft approaching the sun. Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben

Part 3: Parker’s record-breaking ride

The probe will make multiple passes through the corona, utilizing seven gravity assists from Venus to bring its orbits closer and closer to the sun. |Short Read
Testing a model of the Faraday cup ahead of the Parker Solar Probe launch in July. Photo by Levi Hutmacher/Michigan Engineering, Communications & Marketing

Part 2: Testing: Simulating the sun on Earth

A key component of Justin Kasper’s sensory equipment, Parker’s Faraday cup, had to be shown capable of withstanding the heat and light of the journey to the sun. To test it, researchers had to create something new – a homemade sun simulator. |Medium Read
Digital rendering of the Parker Solar Probe approaching the Sun

Part 1: Why we need an early-warning system for solar ejections

When strong magnetic fields crop up along the surface of the Sun cause the atmosphere above to twist, the buildup of magnetic energy leads to a sudden release, called a solar flare. When that energy reaches Earth, it has the capacity to wreak havoc.|Short Read
Teachers participating in the hands-on activity

STEM education: A taste of research for K-12 teachers

The REACT workshop pairs U-M researchers with K-12 science educators to introduce primary school teachers to new laboratory science and classroom-friendly activities.|Medium Read
View of Bakken shale in North Dakota from a plane in flight

Oil, gas methane emissions 60 percent higher than EPA reports

Gas leaks estimated to be worth $2 billion could have fueled 10 million homes.|Short Read

Dr. Tuija Pulkkinen named next CLaSP department chair

Dr. Tuija Pulkkinen has been named the new chair of the Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering Department (CLaSP) at the University of Michigan effective September 1st, 2018. |Medium Read
Artistic rendition of CYGNSS in orbit.

CYGNSS’ ocean achievements pave way for land applications

18 months after the satellites launched, researchers are still discovering new study opportunities.|Medium Read
Jupiter's moon Europa viewed from space

Europa’s ocean: New evidence from an old mission

An image from Hubble and data from Galileo support the theory that this moon is home to global body of water.|Medium Read
Digital illustration of an exploding star

Recreating supernova reaction yields new insights for fusion energy

Our pursuit of fusion needs a heat-check|Short Read
Digital illustration of the Parker Solar Probe approaching the Sun

Key Parker Solar Probe sensor bests sun simulator—last launch hurdle

With old IMAX projector bulbs, Michigan Engineers simulate the sun.|Medium Read
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