Space probes as a research area encompasses the design, deployment, and scientific utilization of uncrewed spacecraft sent beyond Earth orbit to investigate planetary bodies, small Solar System objects, and the heliosphere, and increasingly to perform astrophysical observations from deep space. Research focuses on mission architecture, autonomous navigation and operations, radiation-hardened avionics, long-duration power systems (e.g., RTGs, advanced solar arrays), high-gain communications, and in situ and remote-sensing payloads optimized for extreme environments. The field integrates planetary science, space plasma physics, and instrumentation, emphasizing data acquisition strategies, sample return capabilities, and technology maturation for future interplanetary and interstellar exploration.
From its perch on the western wall of Mars' Jezero Crater, NASA's Perseverance rover recently spied a "googly eye" peering down from space. The pupil in this celestial gaze is the Martian moon Phobos, and the iris is our ...
Astronomy
Oct 31, 2024
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In space exploration, long-distance optical links can now be used to transmit images, films and data from space probes to Earth using light. But in order for the signals to reach all the way and not be disturbed along the ...
Optics & Photonics
Oct 30, 2024
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63
The two CubeSat passengers aboard ESA's Hera mission for planetary defense have exchanged their first signals with Earth, confirming their nominal status. The pair were switched on to check out all their systems, marking ...
Space Exploration
Oct 28, 2024
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97
After discovering and sampling the "leopard spots" of "Bright Angel," it became apparent that Perseverance's journey of discovery in this region was not yet finished. Approximately 20 sols (Martian days) after driving south ...
Planetary Sciences
Oct 28, 2024
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178
Moons are the norm in our solar system. The International Astronomical Union recognizes 288 planetary moons, and more are being discovered. Saturn has a whopping 146 moons. Every planet except Mercury and Venus has moons, ...
Planetary Sciences
Oct 28, 2024
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Sending an object to another star is still the stuff of science fiction. But some concrete missions could get us at least part way there. These "interstellar precursor missions" include a trip to the solar gravitational lens ...
Space Exploration
Oct 25, 2024
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On Oct. 14 NASA's Europa Clipper Mission launched. It is the first detailed investigation of Jupiter's moon Europa—which is believed to harbor an ocean so vast that it contains more water than anywhere else in the known universe ...
Space Exploration
Oct 15, 2024
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100
China has made great strides in exploring space in recent years, rocketing astronauts to its own space station and bringing back rocks from the moon. Now it wants to turn those feats into scientific advances.
Space Exploration
Oct 15, 2024
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NASA's Europa Clipper probe blasted off from Florida on Monday, bound for an icy moon of Jupiter to discover whether it has the ingredients to support life.
Space Exploration
Oct 14, 2024
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90
Is there anywhere else in our solar system that could support life? An imposing NASA probe is due to lift off on Monday on a five-and-a-half-year journey to Europa, one of Jupiter's many moons, to take the first detailed ...
Space Exploration
Oct 14, 2024
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