It's Surprisingly Hard to Go to the Sun

The video explains the challenges of sending a spacecraft close to the sun, highlighting the need for advanced orbital mechanics. It requires significantly more energy to reach the sun than Mars due to Earth's high sideways speed. To approach the sun, a spacecraft must cancel this speed, which is a complex task. The Parker Solar Probe uses powerful rockets and gravity assists from Venus to achieve this. As it nears the sun, it will travel at unprecedented speeds, becoming the first human-made object to get so close.

What role does Venus play in the Parker Solar Probe's mission?

What speed will the Parker Solar Probe reach as it passes the sun?