planetary exploration
Visiting other worlds
Planetary exploration is the scientific investigation of planets, moons, and other celestial bodies beyond Earth.
It encompasses robotic missions—probes, rovers, orbiters—and the prospect of human spaceflight to other worlds: NASA's planetary exploration program, the rover's planetary exploration of Mars.
The term covers both the physical journeys and the broader scientific endeavor of understanding our solar system and beyond.
- orbitersCraft circling celestial bodies
- roverDrifter or space explorer
- landing siteDesignated arrival location
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- space probeRobotic interplanetary research vessel
planets · sample · Cassini · Apollo missions · New Horizons · fly by · extraterrestrial life · moons · orbital mechanics · radiation exposure · deep space network · gravity assist · Mars · Voyager program · golden record · spectrometers · mission control · extreme temperatures
planetary explorationdeep-sea exploration
Investigating ocean abysses
underground exploration · polar exploration · cave exploration · jungle exploration