Parker Solar Probe launch preparations, August 2018. United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket being prepared at Space Launch Complex 37, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, USA. This rocket will be used to launch NASA's Parker Solar Probe (in the fairing at upper centre). Originally called Solar Probe, and then Solar Probe Plus, this mission was renamed in May 2017 after solar astrophysicist Eugene Parker. The mission is being carried out by NASA and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. The mission was launched on 12 August 2018. The unmanned probe will approach to within 6 million kilometres of the solar surface (photosphere) using a solar shield for protection. Photographed on 10 August 2018.