Space exploration has been one of the greatest curiosities of human history and many exploration vehicles have been developed to satisfy this curiosity. These vehicles travel deep into space and help scientists solve the mysteries of the universe. Here are the technical specifications and mission accomplishments of some of the most important space exploration vehicles:
- Hubble Space Telescope:
The Hubble Space Telescope was put into orbit by NASA in 1990. This telescope was developed to observe deep space and has made many important discoveries. Hubble’s main mirror is 2.4 meters in diameter, allowing it to obtain very high resolution images. One of Hubble’s most important missions is to measure the rate at which the universe is expanding and to observe distant galaxies. This telescope has also provided important information about cosmic phenomena such as dark matter and dark energy.
- Mars Rover Curiosity:
Curiosity, one of the most well-known Mars rovers, landed on the surface of Mars in 2012. This rover was designed to search for signs of life on Mars and to study the planet’s surface in detail. Curiosity’s technical features include a nuclear-powered power system, an advanced analysis laboratory and various scientific instruments. It has found important evidence of the presence of water on Mars and provided valuable data on the planet’s climate.
- Voyager 1 and Voyager 2:
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were the first spacecraft to cross the boundaries of the Solar System, launched by NASA in 1977. These two spacecraft sent back detailed images of Jupiter and Saturn, providing important information about these planets. In 2012, Voyager 1 became the first man-made spacecraft to leave the Solar System and reach interstellar space. Both Voyager spacecraft are still sending back data and providing information about the depths of the universe.
- James Webb Space Telescope:
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched in 2021 and is designed to replace Hubble. JWST is an advanced telescope capable of observing in the infrared spectrum. With a 6.5-meter diameter main mirror, it has a much larger field of view than Hubble. JWST’s main missions include studying the early universe, observing star and galaxy formation, and analyzing the atmospheres of exoplanets. This telescope aims to provide deeper insights into the birth and evolution of the universe.
- New Horizons:
New Horizons was launched by NASA in 2006 to study Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. In 2015, the spacecraft flew close to Pluto and sent back detailed data about the planet’s surface and atmosphere. New Horizons made surprising discoveries on Pluto’s surface, such as ice volcanoes and vast plains. In the second phase of its mission, it continues its journey to study other objects in the Kuiper Belt.
- Cassini-Huygens:
The Cassini-Huygens mission was launched in 1997 by NASA and ESA to study Saturn and its moon Titan. The Cassini spacecraft provided extensive data on Saturn’s rings, magnetic field and atmosphere. The Huygens lander landed on Titan’s surface and collected the first direct data on the moon. This mission revealed much unknown information about Saturn and its moons and helped us understand the planet’s complex structure.
- Perseverance Rover:
Perseverance was launched by NASA in 2020 to search for signs of life on Mars and to study the planet’s geological history. This rover is equipped with advanced cameras, microphones and analyzers. Perseverance is part of a mission to collect rock and soil samples from Mars and bring them back to Earth. This mission is of great importance to search for traces of past life on Mars and to identify potentially habitable regions of the planet.
