NASA's Parker Solar Probe has set two new records during its tenth flyby of the sun.

During the close approach, the probe came within 5.3 million miles (8.5 million kilometres) of the solar surface – the closest it has ever been.

During the closer approach, the probe came within 5.3 million miles (8.5 million kilometres) of the solar surface – the closest it has ever been.

The Parker Solar Probe launched in 2018, and is on a mission to improve our understanding of the sun. .

'Flying into the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere, known as the corona, for the first time, Parker Solar Probe employs a combination of in situ measurements and imaging to revolutionize our understanding of the corona and expand our knowledge of the origin and evolution of the solar wind,' NASA explained.

The Parker Solar Probe launched in 2018, and is on a mission to improve our understanding of the sun (artist's impression)

Following its new speed and distance recrods, the Parker Solar Probe is set to move even closer and faster around the sun.   

'Assisted by two more Venus flybys, in August 2023 and November 2024, Parker Solar Probe will eventually come within 4 million miles (6.2 million kilometers) of the solar surface in December 2024, at speeds topping 430,000 miles per hour,' NASA said. 

The Parker Solar Probe launched in 2018, and is on a mission to improve our understanding of the sun. 

'Flying into the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere, known as the corona, for the first time, Parker Solar Probe employs a combination of in situ measurements and imaging to revolutionize our understanding of the corona and expand our knowledge of the origin and evolution of the solar wind,' NASA explained