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For decades, NASA has used solar power
to explore near and far –

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from studying life on Earth to powering
spacecraft across the solar system.

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Here are five ways NASA has
harnessed the power of the Sun.

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Parker Solar Probe flies closer to
the Sun than any spacecraft before.

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Its solar arrays create
electricity to power and move

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the spacecraft's heat shield,
protecting it from the Sun's intense heat.

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On the surface of the Red Planet,

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the Sun powered the rotors
of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter.

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These were the first-ever powered,
controlled flights on another planet,

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and will pave the way for future 
flights in our solar system.

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Closer to home, six Roll-Out Solar Arrays
on the International Space Station

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make life in low Earth orbit possible

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by powering things like scientific
payloads and life support systems.

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Also in low Earth orbit,

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the PACE satellite uses solar power
to run its scientific instruments,

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including the Ocean Color Instrument,
which studies ocean health.

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On the ground,

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solar panels propelled GROVER
across the Greenland Ice Sheet

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to study how it gains and
loses ice over time.

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The rover's solar panels
were positioned to collect

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light directly from the Sun,
as well as rays reflected off the ice.

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These are just a few of the ways
solar energy has been and continues

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to be a vital force for NASA's
explorations of our world and beyond.