Home > Encyclopedia of Science > Space Probe

• Moon probes
• Planetary probes
• Space probes to the outer planets
• Future space probe missions

A space probe is any unmanned spacecraft designed to carry out physical studies of the Moon, other planets, or outer space. Space probes take pictures, measure atmospheric conditions, and collect soil samples then bring or report the data back to Earth.

More than 30 space probes have been launched since the former Soviet Union first fired Luna 1 toward the Moon in 1959. Probes have now visited every planet in the solar system except for Pluto. Two have even left the solar system and headed into the interstellar medium.

Moon probes

The earliest probes traveled to the Moon. The Soviets launched a series of Luna...