Current missions:
* Parker Solar Probe (NASA): Launched in 2018, this probe is currently breaking records for its proximity to the Sun, getting closer than any previous spacecraft. It's studying the Sun's atmosphere and solar wind.
* Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA): Launched in 2020, this mission is studying the Sun's poles and its influence on the heliosphere.
Past missions:
* SOHO (ESA/NASA): Launched in 1995, SOHO is a spacecraft dedicated to observing the Sun. It's provided a wealth of information about the Sun's interior, atmosphere, and solar wind.
* Ulysses (ESA/NASA): Launched in 1990, Ulysses was the first spacecraft to study the Sun's polar regions.
* Genesis (NASA): Launched in 2001, Genesis collected samples of the solar wind to study the Sun's composition.
While these missions haven't landed on the Sun, they've revolutionized our understanding of this vital star. They are contributing to our knowledge of space weather, solar flares, and the Sun's impact on the Earth.