NASA sent its Parker Solar Probe just 3.8 million miles from the surface of the Sun — and it survived. The probe transmitted a signal back to Earth on the night of December 26th, “indicating it’s in good health and operating normally,” according to NASA.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe was poised to make history on Tuesday with a record-breaking flight around the Sun -- although the news won't be confirmed until Friday. It's expected that the spacecraft set a new benchmark early Christmas Eve morning,

NASA received a beacon tone from Parker Solar Probe on Dec. 27, 2024, after the spacecraft emerged from behind the sun three days after its close encounter with the sun.