SPACE

Photos: Parker Solar Probe Pre-Launch

A rendering of NASA's Parker Solar Probe, which will get closer to the sun than any other spacecraft before it.
A rendering of NASA's Parker Solar Probe, which will get closer to the sun than any other spacecraft before it.
NASA
Eugene Parker, middle, attends a media conference on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 at Kennedy Space Center prior to the launch of NASA's Parker Solar Probe. At left are Nicola Fox, project scientist, and Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
Eugene Parker, middle, attends a media conference on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 at Kennedy Space Center prior to the launch of NASA's Parker Solar Probe. At left are Nicola Fox, project scientist, and Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
Emre Kelly / FLORIDA TODAY
In a wide-angle view at the Astrotech processing facility in Titusville on July 11, 2018, technicians and engineers prepared to mate NASA's Parker Solar Probe to its third stage, built and tested by Northrup Grumman in Chandler, Arizona.
In a wide-angle view at the Astrotech processing facility in Titusville on July 11, 2018, technicians and engineers prepared to mate NASA's Parker Solar Probe to its third stage, built and tested by Northrup Grumman in Chandler, Arizona.
NASA / Glenn Benson
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is wheeled into position in a clean room at Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville for pre-launch testing and preparations.
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is wheeled into position in a clean room at Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville for pre-launch testing and preparations.
NASA / Johns Hopkins APL
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is loaded aboard a truck after being flown to Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville on the morning of April 3, 2018, by a C-17 from the U.S. Air Force’s 436th Airlift Wing. The spacecraft was taken to Astrotech Space Operations for pre-launch testing and preparations.
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is loaded aboard a truck after being flown to Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville on the morning of April 3, 2018, by a C-17 from the U.S. Air Force’s 436th Airlift Wing. The spacecraft was taken to Astrotech Space Operations for pre-launch testing and preparations.
NASA/Johns Hopkins APL
A Delta IV Heavy rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in 2012.
A Delta IV Heavy rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in 2012.
United Launch Alliance