Nasa spacecraft ‘operating normally’ after closest-ever approach to sun

An artist’s impression of the Parker Solar Probe approaching the sun. Picture: John Hopkins APL/Nasa/PA

A Nasa spacecraft which made the closest-ever approach to the sun is safe and “operating normally”, the space agency said.

On Christmas Eve, the Parker Solar Probe came within 3.8 million miles of the sun’s surface while moving at 430,000 miles per hour, according to Nasa.