Space probes are unmanned, remotely controlled spaceships for studying the solar system and the cosmos. The earliest space probes were the Mariner series, sent by the United States. These investigated the planets closest to the Earth.
Depending on the missions objectives, a space probe can have any number of instruments to help it explore. These can include radiometers, radar, as well as infrared, ultraviolet and visible light cameras. Or cosmic ray, gamma ray and solar wind detectors.
A space probe can also carry an instrument package designed to land on a planet or satellite or a comet. These could be equipped with soil, gas and chemical analysers. Every space probe also has to have a radio transmitter to send back data and execute commands sent by the controllers here on Earth.
Depending on the missions objectives, a space probe can have any number of instruments to help it explore. These can include radiometers, radar, as well as infrared, ultraviolet and visible light cameras. Or cosmic ray, gamma ray and solar wind detectors.
A space probe can also carry an instrument package designed to land on a planet or satellite or a comet. These could be equipped with soil, gas and chemical analysers. Every space probe also has to have a radio transmitter to send back data and execute commands sent by the controllers here on Earth.
