Parker Solar Probe launch preparations, August 2017. Framed by a series of cabbage palms, a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy common booster core is transported by truck to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Launch Complex 37 Horizontal Processing Facility after arriving at Port Canaveral, Florida, USA. Parker Solar Probe 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 1 August 2017.