Modern Space Exploration

An Introduction to Spacecraft Used to Explore Space

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1.Flyby

• Passes one or more planets or other bodies in space without orbiting them

– Collects data and images from a distance

Voyager 1 & 2 were sent out in the summer of 1977

That’s _43__ years ago!!!

- and it’s still transmitting data today.

2. Orbiter

•Spacecraft that orbits around a planet for many months to many years

•Creates detailed maps, measures temp.•Sends data back to Earth through radio waves

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Orbiter

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*Mariner 9- Mars 1971

* First spacecraft to orbit another planet

*Mapped 85% of the Martian surface

Orbiter

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*Cassini-Huygens-1997

*Orbits Saturn and its moons

* Dropped a space probe onto Titan (moon) to study atmosphere and surface composition

*Still collecting data

Orbiter

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*Galileo – Jupiter Orbiter

*Took 6 yrs. to reach Jupiter(sent-1989 arrived -1995)

*Discovered evidence for saltwater ocean under Europa’s icy surface

*Intentional Crash landing into Jupiter in 2003

3. Probe

• Short-term spacecraft dropped into a planet’s atmosphere•Sends back data to earth about atmosphere, weather, temperature, and pressure before it is destroyed

•Jupiter’s Orbiter Galileo dropped a probe into Jupiter’s atmosphere in 1995

•It sent back data to earth for nearly an hour before it was destroyed

Lander• Craft designed to land on planet’s surface

•Takes detailed pictures, measure properties about atmosphere and surface, gather samples•Landers may have rover inside that will be released once safely on ground

Viking 1 – Mars lander

Mars Lander• InSight Mission May 2018

– Place a lander on Mars to drill below the surface

– Will use a seismometer and heat probe to study Mars interior

5. Rovers• Curiosity- Mars Rover 2012

-About the size of a Mini Cooper car

-Took 9 months to get toMars

-Mission is to discover evidence of microbial life

on Mars

6. Space Station• Satellite that people live and work on for long periods.

•Mir & International Space Station (ISS)•ISS was too large to send up in space so sent it up in pieces and assembled in space

•Construction began in 1998 with first members arriving in 2000.•US no longer will send astronauts to ISS, still being used by Russians.

7. Shuttle• A reusable space craft that carries astronauts to and from the International Space Station

• When re-entering Earth it glides down a runway and lands like an airplane

– NASA has launched shuttles more than 100 times since 1981

Orion Spacecraft• New human spacecraft that will be used to travel beyond Earth

• Provides safe re-entry through ocean landing

– Check this out for more up to date tests: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/successful-orion-test-brings-nasa-closer-to-moon-mars-missions