The Oak Ridge National Laboratory helped NASA in testing its Parker Space Probe. 

The Plasma-Arc lamp is part of a facility at ORNL known as the “sun-in-a-box.” It tested components for the probe that is currently heading to the sun. 

“We tested the actual replica of the actual instrument that’s being used now on the solar probe,” said Adrian Sabau, the lead researcher. 

NASA’s Parker Space Probe will collect data near the sun. To do that the probe;s shield needs to withstand heat up 3,227 degrees Fahrenheit for 72 hours.

This is not the first project NASA has recruited ORNL for help. Sabau says every opportunity is an honor.

“We’re very proud that we’re able to help NASA accomplish their qualification for them to have increased confidence in the design.. very proud,” said Sabau.