NASA launches Parker solar Probe, starts off event to 'contact the sun'

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. — 

we have liftoff.

NASA tweeted simply after three:30 a.m. EDT Sunday that it launched the United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket, which turned into carrying the Parker solar Probe, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The spacecraft's mission: to "contact" the solar.

>> outdated STORY: NASA flight to sun delayed 24 hours

in accordance with CNN, the probe is anticipated to "orbit inside 3.9 million miles of the solar's floor" through 2024. this fall, it will reach inside 15.5 million miles of the sun, beating Helios 2's 1976 listing, The linked Press reported.

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For reference, the Earth is ready ninety three million miles from the solar.

The a hit launch got here sooner or later after a "violation of a launch restrict" – during this case, an issue with helium force – avoided the rocket's takeoff early Saturday, the AP stated.

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NASA's Launch functions application tweeted about 4:17 a.m. EDT Sunday that it had got facts confirming "spacecraft separation." The probe's solar panels even have been deployed, officials pointed out.

study greater right here.

– The linked Press contributed to this file.