Human Wonders 25 Active Space Missions [Infographic]

Messenger Mission

The MESSENGER mission was like a cosmic detective, sent to uncover the secrets of Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun. Launched on August 3, 2004, it was the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury, offering us an up-close look at a world we’d only glimpsed from afar.

What It Set Out to Do:

MESSENGER had big plans for such a little planet. It wanted to map Mercury’s entire surface, figure out what it’s made of, and explore its mysterious magnetic field. It also aimed to study the thin halo of particles (called an exosphere) surrounding the planet and learn why Mercury is so dense—with a core that takes up a whopping 85% of its radius.

The Journey:

MESSENGER took the scenic route to get to Mercury. Along the way, it swung by Earth once, Venus twice, and Mercury three times, using these flybys to adjust its speed and trajectory. It finally slipped into orbit around Mercury on March 18, 2011, becoming the first spacecraft to call Mercury home.

The Big Discoveries:

• Ice on a scorched planet? Believe it or not, MESSENGER found water ice and organic compounds hiding in the permanently shadowed craters near Mercury’s poles—places the Sun never reaches.
• Mercury’s surface is surprisingly rich in volatile elements like sulfur and potassium, hinting at volcanic activity in its past.
• The planet’s magnetic field is still active, powered by a core that’s partly molten, and it revealed that Mercury had a lively geological history.
• MESSENGER also captured stunning images of Mercury’s strange surface features, like “hollows,” which are small, bright depressions likely formed by volatile elements escaping the crust.

A Bittersweet Goodbye:

After more than four years orbiting Mercury and sending back a treasure trove of data, MESSENGER ran out of fuel. On April 30, 2015, it made one last contribution by crashing into Mercury’s surface, creating a new crater to mark its journey’s end.

Why It Matters:

MESSENGER didn’t just reveal Mercury’s secrets; it showed us how fascinating this little world really is. Its discoveries changed what we thought we knew and laid the groundwork for future explorers, like ESA and JAXA’s BepiColombo mission, which is now en route to Mercury.

MESSENGER’s mission may be over, but the story it told about Mercury will inspire space lovers for generations.

Venus Express

Venus Express was the European Space Agency’s (ESA) first mission to Venus, launched on November 9, 2005, and it explored the planet until 2015. The spacecraft focused on Venus’s thick, toxic atmosphere, extreme greenhouse effect, and the interaction between its atmosphere and the solar wind.

Some key discoveries included:

• Venus’s atmosphere super-rotates, moving much faster than the planet itself.
• Evidence of an extreme greenhouse effect, with surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead.
• Signs of possible active volcanoes, like fluctuating sulfur dioxide levels and heat spots.
• Lightning in its clouds and mysterious polar vortexes.

Venus Express far outlasted its planned mission, delivering nearly a decade of groundbreaking science. Though it’s now silent, its discoveries have paved the way for future missions to uncover more of Venus’s secrets.

Mission SOHO

SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) is a NASA and ESA mission launched in 1995 to study the Sun. Positioned about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, it’s been continuously observing the Sun, helping us understand its inner workings, solar flares, and the solar wind that affects space weather.

Some key discoveries include:

• Mapping the solar wind and predicting solar storms.
• Discovering over 3,000 comets.
• Studying the Sun’s core and magnetic activity.

SOHO has been running for decades, providing invaluable data and helping us better understand the Sun’s impact on Earth and the entire solar system. It’s still going strong, continuing to give us a peek into the heart of our star!

SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory) is a NASA and ESA mission launched in 1995 to study the Sun. Positioned about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, it’s been continuously observing the Sun, helping us understand its inner workings, solar flares, and the solar wind that affects space weather.

Some key discoveries include:

• Mapping the solar wind and predicting solar storms.
• Discovering over 3,000 comets.
• Studying the Sun’s core and magnetic activity.

SOHO has been running for decades, providing invaluable data and helping us better understand the Sun’s impact on Earth and the entire solar system. It’s still going strong, continuing to give us a peek into the heart of our star!

Mission ACE

The ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer) mission, launched in 1997, has been helping us understand the particles flying through space, from the Sun’s solar wind to cosmic rays from far-off stars. Positioned at the L1 Lagrange point, about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, ACE keeps a constant watch on space weather and cosmic particles.

It’s given us valuable insights into:

• The solar wind and its effects on Earth’s magnetosphere.
• Cosmic rays from distant supernovae.
• Solar storms and their potential impact on satellites and power grids.

After over two decades in space, ACE continues to provide vital data, helping scientists improve predictions for space weather and better understand the universe!

Mission WIND

The WIND mission, launched in 1994, has been keeping a close eye on the solar wind—the stream of charged particles from the Sun. Stationed at the L1 Lagrange point, about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, it’s been gathering data on the solar wind’s speed, density, and magnetic fields, giving us a better understanding of space weather.

WIND helps us:

• Predict solar storms that could affect satellites and communications.
• Study how solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetic field.
• Observe massive solar events like coronal mass ejections.

After nearly three decades, WIND is still providing vital information to help protect our technology and improve our understanding of the Sun’s influence!

Mission STEREO

The STEREO (Solar TErrestrial Relations Observatory) mission, launched in 2006, sent two spacecraft—STEREO-A and STEREO-B—into space to capture 3D images of the Sun. With one spacecraft ahead of Earth and the other behind, they gave us a whole new perspective on solar activity and solar storms.

STEREO helped:

• Create a 3D view of the Sun.
• Track solar storms and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
• Improve our understanding of space weather and how the Sun affects Earth.

Though STEREO-B lost contact in 2016, STEREO-A continues to send back valuable data, giving us an even deeper look into the Sun’s activity!

Mission LRO

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), launched in 2009, is NASA’s mission to map the Moon and search for water ice. It orbits just 50 km above the Moon’s surface, capturing stunning, high-resolution images of craters, mountains, and potential landing sites.

Key contributions:

• Detailed lunar maps, helping future missions like Artemis.
• Discovery of water ice at the lunar poles, important for future exploration.
• Stunning photos of Apollo landing sites.

LRO is still going strong, giving us valuable info for returning to the Moon and making it a sustainable destination!

Mission LADEE

The LADEE mission, launched in 2013, explored the Moon’s thin atmosphere and dust environment. It helped scientists understand the lunar exosphere (a very light layer of gas) and how dust behaves on the Moon, which is important for future lunar missions.

Key discoveries:

• Detailed study of the Moon’s atmosphere and dust.
• Observed how lunar dust moves and affects the surface.

Though the mission ended in 2014, LADEE’s findings are helping us better prepare for future lunar exploration!

Mission ARTEMIS

The Artemis program is NASA’s exciting plan to return humans to the Moon and eventually send them to Mars. The goal is to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon, focusing on the South Pole, and set up a sustainable base there for future exploration.

Key parts of Artemis include:

• Orion spacecraft to carry astronauts.
• Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for deep space missions.
• Lunar Gateway space station as a staging point.
• Lunar landers to safely get astronauts to the Moon’s surface.

With Artemis I already launched in 2022, the program is preparing for future crewed missions, including Artemis III, which will land astronauts back on the Moon. Artemis is setting the stage for exciting new chapters in space exploration!

Mission CHANG’E 3

Chang’e 3, launched in 2013, was China’s first successful mission to land on the Moon. It carried the Yutu rover (also called “Jade Rabbit”) to explore the lunar surface and send back images and data.

The program’s name, Chang’e, is inspired by the Chinese myth of the Moon goddess Chang’e, who is said to live on the Moon.

Key achievements:

• Soft landing on the Moon, making China the third country to do so.
• The Yutu rover studied the Moon’s surface, soil, and environment.
• Provided valuable scientific data for future lunar missions.

Chang’e 3 marked a huge step for China in space exploration and laid the groundwork for more lunar missions like Chang’e 4 and Chang’e 5.

Mars Orbiter Mission

The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), or Mangalyaan, is India’s first mission to Mars, launched by ISRO on November 5, 2013. Its goal was to study Mars’ atmosphere, surface, and minerals from orbit and showcase India’s ability to reach the Red Planet.

The spacecraft sent back detailed images of Mars, including its surface features, weather, and the atmosphere.

Key achievements:

• Successfully entered Mars orbit in 2014, making India the first Asian country to do so.
• Sent back stunning images of Mars and detected methane in its atmosphere, sparking interest in the possibility of life.

MOM’s success put India on the map for space exploration, showing the world what ISRO could achieve!

Mission MAVEN

MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) is a NASA mission launched in 2013 to study Mars’ atmosphere and understand how it lost its water and gases over time. By learning how the Sun stripped away Mars’ atmosphere, MAVEN helps explain why the planet became dry and cold.

Key achievements:

• Revealed how Mars’ atmosphere changed over time.
• Provided insights into the history of water on Mars.
• Improved our understanding of Mars’ climate evolution.

MAVEN’s discoveries are key to understanding Mars’ past and help pave the way for future missions, including human exploration!

Mission JUNO

Juno is a NASA mission launched in 2011 to explore Jupiter and learn about its atmosphere, magnetic field, and core. Its goal is to understand how Jupiter formed and its role in the solar system.

Juno orbits Jupiter in a highly elliptical path, getting close to the planet for detailed studies and then moving far away to cool down and protect its instruments from Jupiter’s intense radiation.

Key achievements:

• Stunning photos of Jupiter’s storms, including the Great Red Spot.
• In-depth study of Jupiter’s magnetic field and weather.
• Key insights into the planet’s composition and core.

Juno is helping us unlock Jupiter’s secrets and understand the early days of our solar system!

Mission MRO

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), launched in 2005, has been exploring Mars from orbit, helping us learn more about its surface and history.

Key achievements:

• Sent back stunning high-resolution images of Mars, revealing ancient riverbeds and signs of water.
• Helped discover ice deposits and evidence of past water on Mars.
• Acts as a relay station for other Mars missions.

MRO is a key mission in understanding Mars and continues to provide valuable data for future exploration!

Mission ODYSSEY

The Mars Odyssey mission is a NASA spacecraft that has been orbiting Mars since 2001. Its main goal is to study the Martian surface, climate, and atmosphere, while also acting as a relay station for other Mars missions.

Key achievements:

• Discovered water ice under Mars’ surface.
• Mapped the planet’s minerals and temperature variations.
• Acts as a relay station for other Mars missions.

Mars Odyssey continues to be a valuable tool in understanding the Red Planet, especially regarding its water history and climate. It also plays a crucial role in supporting other Mars missions, making it an important part of ongoing exploration.

Mission Mars Express

Mars Express is a mission by the European Space Agency (ESA), launched on June 2, 2003. It’s the first ESA mission to Mars and aims to explore the planet’s surface, atmosphere, and moons, particularly focusing on the search for water and signs of life.

Key achievements:

• Discovered water ice under Mars’ surface.
• Mapped ancient riverbeds and volcanic landforms.
• Captured stunning images of Phobos and Deimos.

Mars Express has been a key part of Mars exploration, providing detailed maps and data about the planet’s history. It’s still working today, helping us better understand Mars’ past and its potential for hosting life!

Opportunity was NASA’s longest-running rover mission. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Mission ROSETTA

Rosetta was a groundbreaking mission by the European Space Agency (ESA), launched on March 2, 2004, with the goal of studying a comet up close. It became famous for being the first mission to successfully land a probe on a comet’s surface.

Key Achievements:

• First-ever soft landing on a comet by Philae, marking a huge milestone in space exploration.
• Collected detailed data on comet’s surface, gases, and dust, which gave scientists insights into the formation of the solar system.
• Provided important information about the chemical makeup of comets, including organic molecules that could be linked to the origins of life.

Rosetta’s success in studying the comet 67P reshaped our understanding of comets and their role in the solar system’s formation. The mission revealed how these ancient bodies could hold clues about the early solar system and possibly the origins of life!

Mission DAWN

Dawn was a NASA mission launched on September 27, 2007, with the goal of studying two of the largest objects in the asteroid belt: Vesta and Ceres. It was the first spacecraft to orbit two different extraterrestrial bodies, offering insights into the early solar system.

Key Achievements:

• • Became the first spacecraft to orbit Vesta in 2011 and send back incredible images and data about its cratered surface.
  • Later, in 2015, Dawn entered orbit around Ceres, revealing its mysterious features, including a large bright spot thought to be a salt deposit.
  • Found evidence of water ice and possible subsurface oceans on Ceres, sparking excitement about the potential for past or present life.

Dawn’s discoveries helped scientists learn more about the early solar system and how asteroids and dwarf planets like Vesta and Ceres shaped the formation of planets. It provided a deeper understanding of the building blocks that led to Earth’s formation and opened new possibilities for exploring distant celestial bodies!

Mission CASSINI

Cassini was a groundbreaking NASA mission launched on October 15, 1997, to explore Saturn and its moons. It was a collaboration between NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and ASI (Italian Space Agency). Cassini spent 13 years orbiting Saturn, sending back stunning images and valuable data that transformed our understanding of the gas giant and its moons.

Key Achievements:

• Cassini captured breathtaking images of Saturn’s rings, storms, and moons.
• Discovered water geysers erupting from Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons, hinting at the potential for life.
• Provided extensive data on Titan’s atmosphere and surface, which helped scientists understand its organic chemistry

Cassini’s discoveries revolutionized our knowledge of Saturn, its moons, and the outer solar system. It helped scientists understand the dynamics of gas giants, the potential for life on icy moons, and the behavior of planetary rings. The mission wrapped up with a final dive into Saturn in 2017, ending its journey with a spectacular send-off.

Mission NEW HORIZONS

New Horizons is a NASA mission launched on January 19, 2006, with the goal of exploring the dwarf planet Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, the region beyond Neptune filled with icy objects. It was the first spacecraft to visit Pluto and gave us the most detailed images and data about the distant world.

Key Achievements:

• Captured stunning images of Pluto’s surface, revealing features like mountains, ice plains, and complex terrain.
• Discovered atmospheric layers and weather systems on Pluto.
• After Pluto, New Horizons continued its journey to explore Kuiper Belt objects, including the flyby of Arrokoth in 2019, offering new insights into the outer solar system.

New Horizons dramatically changed our understanding of Pluto, revealing it to be a far more complex and active world than previously thought. The mission continues to explore the outer edges of the solar system, sending back data that will help scientists learn more about its formation and the icy objects in the Kuiper Belt.

Mission VOYAGER 2

New Horizons is a NASA mission launched on January 19, 2006, with the goal of exploring the dwarf planet Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, the region beyond Neptune filled with icy objects. It was the first spacecraft to visit Pluto and gave us the most detailed images and data about the distant world.

Key Achievements:

• Captured stunning images of Pluto’s surface, revealing features like mountains, ice plains, and complex terrain.
• Discovered atmospheric layers and weather systems on Pluto.
• After Pluto, New Horizons continued its journey to explore Kuiper Belt objects, including the flyby of Arrokoth in 2019, offering new insights into the outer solar system.

New Horizons dramatically changed our understanding of Pluto, revealing it to be a far more complex and active world than previously thought. The mission continues to explore the outer edges of the solar system, sending back data that will help scientists learn more about its formation and the icy objects in the Kuiper Belt.

Mission VOYAGER 1

Voyager 1 is a NASA spacecraft that was launched on September 5, 1977, just a few weeks after its twin, Voyager 2. Its primary mission was to explore the outer planets of our solar system, and it has since become the most distant human-made object in space.

Key Achievements:

• Voyager 1 sent back iconic images of Saturn’s rings, including the Pale Blue Dot photo of Earth from billions of miles away, which became an emblem of our place in the cosmos.
• It discovered volcanic activity on Jupiter’s moon Io and took stunning photos of Saturn and its moons.
• It continues to send back data from beyond our solar system, providing unique insights into the interstellar medium.

Voyager 1 has not only revolutionized our understanding of the outer planets but has also opened a new chapter in exploring the region beyond our solar system. As it travels farther into space, it is a symbol of human curiosity and exploration, offering data that will influence future generations of space missions.

Last ideas

Space missions are important because they help us understand the universe and our place in it. By exploring distant planets and stars, we uncover secrets about space and make discoveries that improve life on Earth, from medical advancements to better communication systems.

They also inspire innovation. The challenges of space exploration push technology forward, creating inventions like GPS and memory foam that benefit everyday life. Plus, space missions bring nations together, showing how collaboration can lead to incredible achievements.

Looking ahead, space exploration could offer solutions for future challenges on Earth, like climate change, and even open up new possibilities for living beyond our planet. Ultimately, space missions feed our curiosity, help us grow as a global community, and prepare us for the unknown.