Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System By Roman Williams

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System Various researchers with NASA have joined efforts with partners from around the world to explore the vastness of deep space. Various researchers with NASA have joined efforts with partners from around the world to explore the vastness of deep space. They are attempting to answer the following; They are attempting to answer the following; –The origins of Earth, Mars, Venus, as well as the sun. –How did the planets evolve into what they are at preset time. –To seek out other life (if it does exist) outside our own realm.

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System The forerunner of all satellites arose form Russia’s Sputnik 1 on October 4, The forerunner of all satellites arose form Russia’s Sputnik 1 on October 4, –Sputnik was the first successful satellite to orbit Earth. –This led the way to many great advancements for both the Soviet Union as well as for the United States. –This unmanned satellite gave rise to future satellites that would explore and patrol our solar system.

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System List of operating satellites; List of operating satellites; Ace, ACRIMSAT, Aqua, Aura, CALIPSO, Cassini, CHAMP, Chandra, CHIPS, CloudSat, Cluster, Deep Impact, Fast, Fuse, GALEX, Geotail, GP-B, HETE-2, HST, IceSAT, INTEGRAL, Jason, Landsat 7, Mars Express, Mars Rovers, MESSENGER, Meteor 3M, MGS, MRO, New Horizons, NMP EO-1, Odyssey, Polar, QuikSCAT, RHESSI, Rosetta, RXTE, SOHO, SORCE, Spitzer, ST-5, Stardust, Suzaku, Swift, Terra, Timed, TOMS-EP, TRACE, TRMM, Ulysses, Yoyager, Wind, WMAP, and XMM- Newton Ace, ACRIMSAT, Aqua, Aura, CALIPSO, Cassini, CHAMP, Chandra, CHIPS, CloudSat, Cluster, Deep Impact, Fast, Fuse, GALEX, Geotail, GP-B, HETE-2, HST, IceSAT, INTEGRAL, Jason, Landsat 7, Mars Express, Mars Rovers, MESSENGER, Meteor 3M, MGS, MRO, New Horizons, NMP EO-1, Odyssey, Polar, QuikSCAT, RHESSI, Rosetta, RXTE, SOHO, SORCE, Spitzer, ST-5, Stardust, Suzaku, Swift, Terra, Timed, TOMS-EP, TRACE, TRMM, Ulysses, Yoyager, Wind, WMAP, and XMM- Newton List of satellites under study; List of satellites under study; Con.X, Geospace, Glory, GOES-R, GPM, IBEX, JDEM, Juno, JWST, LDCM, LISA, MMS, MSL, OSTM, Sentinels, SIM, ST-8, ST-9, and WISE Con.X, Geospace, Glory, GOES-R, GPM, IBEX, JDEM, Juno, JWST, LDCM, LISA, MMS, MSL, OSTM, Sentinels, SIM, ST-8, ST-9, and WISE List of satellites under development; List of satellites under development; AIM, Aquarius, CINDI, Dawn, GLAST, GOES N, O, P, Herschel, Kepler, NPP, OCO, Phoenix, Planck, POES N, N’, SDO, SOFIA, Solar-B, ST-6, ST-7, STEREO, THEMIS, and TWINS AIM, Aquarius, CINDI, Dawn, GLAST, GOES N, O, P, Herschel, Kepler, NPP, OCO, Phoenix, Planck, POES N, N’, SDO, SOFIA, Solar-B, ST-6, ST-7, STEREO, THEMIS, and TWINS

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System Satellites of the past; ASCA, Astro-1, Astro-2, BBXRT, CGRO, Clementine, COBE, CONTOUR, CRRES, DE-1, DS 1, DS 2, DXS, Equator-S, ERBS, EUBVE, Galileo, Genesis, GOES L, GOES M, HALCA, Hipparcos, IEH-3, IMAGE, IMP-8, IRTS, ISEE-3/ICE, ISO, IUE, KAO, Leonid MAC, Lunar Pros, Magellan, Mariner, MCO, Mars obs., Mars Path., MPL, NEAR, ORFEUS, Pionner 10, 11, Pioneer Venus, POES L, POES M, Ranger, ROSAT, SAC-B, SAMPEX, SNOE, Spartan, Surveyor, SRTM, Starshine, SWAS, TERRIERS, TOPEX/Poseidon, TSS-1, TSS-1R, UARS, VLBI, Viking, WIRE, and Yohkoh Satellites of the past; ASCA, Astro-1, Astro-2, BBXRT, CGRO, Clementine, COBE, CONTOUR, CRRES, DE-1, DS 1, DS 2, DXS, Equator-S, ERBS, EUBVE, Galileo, Genesis, GOES L, GOES M, HALCA, Hipparcos, IEH-3, IMAGE, IMP-8, IRTS, ISEE-3/ICE, ISO, IUE, KAO, Leonid MAC, Lunar Pros, Magellan, Mariner, MCO, Mars obs., Mars Path., MPL, NEAR, ORFEUS, Pionner 10, 11, Pioneer Venus, POES L, POES M, Ranger, ROSAT, SAC-B, SAMPEX, SNOE, Spartan, Surveyor, SRTM, Starshine, SWAS, TERRIERS, TOPEX/Poseidon, TSS-1, TSS-1R, UARS, VLBI, Viking, WIRE, and Yohkoh

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System Unmanned satellites are being directed to the Sun to evaluate the Earth-Sun relationship. Unmanned satellites are being directed to the Sun to evaluate the Earth-Sun relationship. These satellites are also monitoring the Suns Coronas and Solar flairs and evaluating what types of effects they produce to electronics. These satellites are also monitoring the Suns Coronas and Solar flairs and evaluating what types of effects they produce to electronics.

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System Solar Flairs Solar Flairs

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System Many other satellites are being sent to study Mars, Venus, and other celestial bodies that my be capable of sustaining human life. Many other satellites are being sent to study Mars, Venus, and other celestial bodies that my be capable of sustaining human life. Among the planets these researcher are also searching for other life forms. Among the planets these researcher are also searching for other life forms. Is there life out there? Is there life out there?

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System Viking 1 and Viking 2 consisted of an orbiter and a lander named “Spirit and Opportunity”, which traveled attached together for nearly a year to reach Mars orbit. The orbiters then began taking pictures of the Martian surface, from which a landing site was selected. Viking 1 and Viking 2 consisted of an orbiter and a lander named “Spirit and Opportunity”, which traveled attached together for nearly a year to reach Mars orbit. The orbiters then began taking pictures of the Martian surface, from which a landing site was selected. The Viking missions revealed further details of volcanoes, lava plains, huge canyons, and the effects of wind and water. Analysis of the soils at the landing sites showed them to be rich in iron, but devoid of any signs of life (Munsell, K., 2003) The Viking missions revealed further details of volcanoes, lava plains, huge canyons, and the effects of wind and water. Analysis of the soils at the landing sites showed them to be rich in iron, but devoid of any signs of life (Munsell, K., 2003)

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System These photos were taken by the probes of “Spirit” which landed on Mars on January 4, 2004 and “Opportunity” landed on January 24, These photos were taken by the probes of “Spirit” which landed on Mars on January 4, 2004 and “Opportunity” landed on January 24, In this first of the "Columbia Hills" from the Gusev Crater on Mars, "Husband Hill" is 3.1 kilometers distant while "McCool Hill" is 4.2 kilometers away. Spirit took these images with the panoramic camera at the beginning of February, 2004, less than a month after landing on Mars. In this first image of the "Columbia Hills" from the Gusev Crater on Mars, "Husband Hill" is 3.1 kilometers distant while "McCool Hill" is 4.2 kilometers away. Spirit took these images with the panoramic camera at the beginning of February, 2004, less than a month after landing on Mars. The second image is a photo of the Martian landscape. (Sample, S. 2006) The second image is a photo of the Martian landscape. (Sample, S. 2006)

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System Cassini’s Radar mapper instrument captured this photo of Titan (Moon of Saturn). This photo is 150km wide by 400 km long. Cassini’s Radar mapper instrument captured this photo of Titan (Moon of Saturn). This photo is 150km wide by 400 km long. The darker areas shown are believed to contain liquids of methane and/or ethane which are reflecting Cassini’s radar beam (Piazza, E. 2006) The darker areas shown are believed to contain liquids of methane and/or ethane which are reflecting Cassini’s radar beam (Piazza, E. 2006)

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System On May 20, 2006 Cassini flew by Titan and study its hazy atmosphere by transmitting radio waves to Earth as it flies behind Titan. On May 20, 2006 Cassini flew by Titan and study its hazy atmosphere by transmitting radio waves to Earth as it flies behind Titan. These radio waves are to pass through the atmosphere, revealing characteristics such as temperatures, structure, and winds. These radio waves are to pass through the atmosphere, revealing characteristics such as temperatures, structure, and winds. A list of all flybys can be view at A list of all flybys can be view at ents/index.cfm

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System

The satellite named Galileo was sent to Jupiter to examine the atmospheric conditions on this enormous planet. The satellite named Galileo was sent to Jupiter to examine the atmospheric conditions on this enormous planet. It also conducted observation to Jupiter’s moons; Europa, Ganymide, Callisto, and Io. It also conducted observation to Jupiter’s moons; Europa, Ganymide, Callisto, and Io.

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System The best of the Jupiter system is pictured in this collage of images acquired by the Voyager and Galileo spacecraft. The four largest moons of Jupiter are known as the Galilean moons and are named Callisto, Ganymede, Europa, and Io. Inside the orbits of the Galilean moons are Thebe, Amalthea, Adrastea, and Metis. The best of the Jupiter system is pictured in this collage of images acquired by the Voyager and Galileo spacecraft. The four largest moons of Jupiter are known as the Galilean moons and are named Callisto, Ganymede, Europa, and Io. Inside the orbits of the Galilean moons are Thebe, Amalthea, Adrastea, and Metis. At the lower right is shown the Valhalla region of Callisto. Ganymede is toward the bottom middle. Europa is a little above and to the right of Ganymede. Io is the top, left-most moon. Between Io and Jupiter are four little moons. The top-most little moon is Amalthea. Below and to the right of Amalthea are Metis and Adrastea. To the left of Adrastea is Thebe (Hamilton, J. C. 1998) At the lower right is shown the Valhalla region of Callisto. Ganymede is toward the bottom middle. Europa is a little above and to the right of Ganymede. Io is the top, left-most moon. Between Io and Jupiter are four little moons. The top-most little moon is Amalthea. Below and to the right of Amalthea are Metis and Adrastea. To the left of Adrastea is Thebe (Hamilton, J. C. 1998)

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System Deep Impact was a satellite that had four missions; Deep Impact was a satellite that had four missions; –Observe how the crater forms in a comet. –Measure the craters depth and diameter. –Measure the composition of the interior of the crater and its ejecta. –Determine the changes in natural outgassing produced by the impact. (Martin, D. 2006)

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System Deep Impact is designed to study the comets compositions and how they have played a major role in Earth’s evolution. Deep Impact is designed to study the comets compositions and how they have played a major role in Earth’s evolution. It is believed that the comets brought water and a variety of organic molecules to Earth. It is believed that the comets brought water and a variety of organic molecules to Earth. In July of 2005, the Deep Impact spacecraft will deploy a small probe to collide with the comet Tempel 1. The satellite Deep Impact took images as it flew by the comet at a distance of 310 miles (Martin, D. 2006). In July of 2005, the Deep Impact spacecraft will deploy a small probe to collide with the comet Tempel 1. The satellite Deep Impact took images as it flew by the comet at a distance of 310 miles (Martin, D. 2006).

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System Satellite Deep Impact

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System The satellite Deep Impact for the first time has detected ice on the comets nucleus. The satellite Deep Impact for the first time has detected ice on the comets nucleus. As the comet approaches the sun, it releases gas and dust forming a cloud that blurs the nucleus from view. As the comet approaches the sun, it releases gas and dust forming a cloud that blurs the nucleus from view.

Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System

References Bolte, J. (2004). The Celestia Motherlode. Retrieved July 30, 2006 from Bolte, J. (2004). The Celestia Motherlode. Retrieved July 30, 2006 from Hamilton, C. J. (1998). The Jupiter System. Retrieved from Hamilton, C. J. (1998). The Jupiter System. Retrieved from Martin, D. (2006). Deep Impact. Retrieved July 30, 2006 from Martin, D. (2006). Deep Impact. Retrieved July 30, 2006 from Munsell, K. (2003). Solar System Exploration. Retrieved July 30, 2006 from Munsell, K. (2003). Solar System Exploration. Retrieved July 30, 2006 from Piazza, E. (2006). Cassini-Huygens: Mission to Saturn and Titan. Retrieved July 30, 2006 from Piazza, E. (2006). Cassini-Huygens: Mission to Saturn and Titan. Retrieved July 30, 2006 from Sample, S. (2006). Science Missions. Retrieved July 30, 2006 from Sample, S. (2006). Science Missions. Retrieved July 30, 2006 from