A "Boldy Go" Mission in Solar Probe Plus...

"NASA is developing an ambitious new mission to plunge a car-sized probe directly into the sun's atmosphere," slated for launch in 2018.


"As Solar Probe Plus approaches the sun, it will face temperatures exceeding 2,550 degrees Fahrenheit (1,399 degrees Celsius) and powerful radiation blasts.


"The spacecraft is expected to take unprecedented, up-close view of our home star, enabling scientists to better understand, characterize and forecast the radiation environment for future space explorers, NASA officials said."

Five fascinating experiments are planned for the sun in this mission: NASA Aims to Plunge Car-Sized Probe Into the Sun, SPACE.com staff.

See also: Sun Image Gallery