Space probe facts for kids
A space probe is an unmanned space mission, usually a small spacecraft sent out to find out information about a planet or other far away thing. As a tool of space exploration a planetary probe may land on the planet, or orbit around it, or merely fly by closely. Probes use radio waves to send information back to Earth or sometimes to a manned spacecraft. A space observatory leaves the Earth to look at distant objects, but does not go near the objects, so it is not called a "probe".
The space agencies of the USSR (now Russia and Ukraine), the United States, the European Union, Japan, China, India, and Israel have collectively launched probes to several planets and moons of the Solar System, as well as to a number of asteroids and comets. Approximately 15 missions are currently operational.
Images for kids
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Space probes operational as of December 2016
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Voyager 1's view of Solar System (artist's impression).
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A planned 1974 probe, Pioneer H, on display in the National Air and Space Museum.
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The Lunokhod 1 unmanned rover on the surface of Moon, displayed in Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics.
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The Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars.
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Artist's concept of Deep Impact prior to its planned collision with comet Tempel 1.
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Artist's concept of Pioneer 10 / Pioneer 11
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Artist's concept of Pioneer 10 near Jupiter
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Artist's concept of New Horizons approaching Pluto.
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Artist's concept of New horizons near Pluto.
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Artist's concept of Cassini in Saturn's Orbit
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Artist depiction of Stardust during the 'burn-to-depletion' phase
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Artist depiction of Mars Global Surveyor
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Titan4b on Launch pad
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