NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has made history, surviving its closest-ever approach to the Sun. The spacecraft, which launched in 2018, passed a record-breaking 3.8 million miles (6.1 million km) from the Sun’s surface on Christmas Eve, enduring extreme conditions in a mission to unravel some of the star’s biggest mysteries.

Scientists received a signal from the probe just before midnight EST on Thursday, after several days of communication silence during the fly-by. NASA confirmed that the spacecraft was “safe” and operating normally following its perilous journey through the Sun’s outer atmosphere.

The Parker Solar Probe, moving at speeds of up to 430,000 mph (692,000 km/h), experienced temperatures as high as 1,800°F (980°C) during the fly-by. Protected by a specially designed 4.5-inch thick carbon-composite shield, the spacecraft was built to withstand the intense heat and radiation as it plunged into the Sun’s corona—the outermost part of its atmosphere.

“This close-up study of the Sun allows Parker Solar Probe to take measurements that help scientists better understand how material in this region gets heated to millions of degrees, trace the origin of the solar wind, and discover how energetic particles are accelerated to near light speed,” NASA said.

Dr. Nicola Fox, NASA’s head of science, explained that, while scientists have studied the Sun for centuries, we could not fully comprehend its atmosphere until we physically explored it. “We can’t really experience the atmosphere of our star unless we fly through it,” she said.

Despite the extreme conditions, the spacecraft’s speed and shield allowed it to quickly traverse the Sun’s corona, collecting valuable data along the way. Dr. Jenifer Millard, an astronomer at Fifth Star Labs, emphasized the importance of understanding the Sun’s hot corona. “The surface of the Sun is about 6,000°C, but the corona reaches millions of degrees. Scientists have long wondered why the atmosphere gets hotter as it moves further from the Sun.”

The mission will also shed light on solar wind—the stream of charged particles ejected from the Sun’s corona. These particles can interact with Earth’s magnetic field, creating stunning auroras, but they can also disrupt power grids, communications, and satellites, making it crucial to understand space weather.

NASA’s team had been anxiously waiting for a signal from the probe as it navigated the Sun’s intense environment. Dr. Fox expressed her relief when the probe successfully sent back data. “It’s a tough, tough little spacecraft,” she said, acknowledging the mission’s high-risk nature and the engineering that made it possible.

The Parker Solar Probe has already completed 21 fly-bys of the Sun, but its Christmas Eve pass marked a major milestone in the mission, which will continue to provide critical insights into our star’s behavior.

Russia unleashed a large-scale missile and drone barrage on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, with strikes targeting thermal power plants and cities across the eastern regions. The attack forced residents to take shelter in metro stations and plunged parts of the country into darkness.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the timing and intent of the assault. “Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?” he said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). “They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine.”

Scale of the Assault

According to Zelensky, the attack involved over 70 rockets, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 attack drones. Ukraine’s air defense systems intercepted at least 50 missiles and a significant number of drones.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed that the strikes primarily targeted the country’s energy infrastructure. “The distribution system operator is taking necessary measures to limit consumption and minimize the negative consequences for the power system,” Halushchenko stated, adding that repairs would begin as soon as the security situation allowed.

Widespread Damage and Power Outages

Ukraine’s largest private energy provider, DTEK, reported that a thermal power plant was hit Wednesday morning. This marks the 13th attack on Ukraine’s power grid this year. DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko described the strikes as a “depraved and evil act” and called for a strong international response.

Preemptive power outages were implemented across the country, including in the capital Kyiv, to mitigate further damage. Several districts in Kyiv experienced complete power loss, according to state energy operator Ukrenergo.

In Kharkiv, at least seven missile strikes sparked fires across the city, with three people reported injured, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov warned residents to stay in shelters as ballistic missiles continued to target the city.

International Concerns

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported that one Russian missile crossed into Moldovan and Romanian airspace, raising alarms about the regional implications of Russia’s actions. Moldova’s government condemned the airspace violation, calling it a breach of international law and expressing solidarity with Ukraine.

Context and Ongoing Impact

The strikes come as Ukraine’s energy infrastructure remains a primary target in Russia’s ongoing invasion. Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of deliberately using winter and significant holidays like Christmas to maximize civilian suffering.

Wednesday’s attack underscores the continued vulnerability of Ukraine’s energy grid and the increasing humanitarian toll as temperatures drop and the war grinds on into its third winter.