Spacecraft sets record for sun approach

NASA's Parker Solar Probe has surpassed the closest sun approach record of 43 million kilometres set by Helios-2 in 1976.

A NASA illustration shows the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft approaching the sun. (AAP)

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is now closer to the sun than any spacecraft has ever been.

Parker on Monday surpassed the record of 43 million kilometres set by Helios-2 back in 1976.

And it will keep getting closer to the sun until it flies through the corona, or outer atmosphere, for the first time next week, passing within 24 million kilometres of the solar surface.

Parker will make 24 close approaches to the sun over the next seven years, ultimately coming within just 6 million kilometres.

Launched in August, Parker is on track to set another record late on Monday night. It will surpass Helios-2's speed record of 247,000 km/h, relative to the sun.