Questions tagged [probe]
A space probe is a scientific robotic spacecraft. It explores space and/or other planetary bodies (planets, satellites, asteroids, ..). It can flyby, orbit, enter atmosphere of, land on or submerge into its target, or approach interstellar space. Pioneer 10/11 and Voyager 1/2 are examples of space probe.
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How could a minimal sample return only from the plumes of an ice moon, Ceres or Io be designed?
Would it be feasible and would it make sense to minimalistically design a sample-return-only mission (or class of missions) along these lines:
Light weight plume collecting aerogel (like the Stardust ...
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What's the lowest and the highest ever recorded atmospheric pressure by a Mars lander?
What is the lowest and what's the highest ever recorded air pressure on Mars by an (either roving or stationary) Mars landing probe?
As per the answer in this question of mine, it seems the highest ...
user46063
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Probing gas giant planets by descending through a cyclones's "eye"?
On Earth cyclones have regions of calm weather commonly known as eyes. They appear to create tunnels spreading from the top of the atmosphere down to the sea level. Wikipedia article mentions their ...
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Having deep space probes use AI to decide where to point their cameras?
With New Horizons on final approach to Ultima Thule (2014 MU69) it has been stated that some or all of the images returned may end up being blank due to the camera being pointed incorrectly because of ...
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Has lithocapture ever been seriously considered as a method of entering orbit around a planet or moon that lacks any atmosphere?
What I mean by lithocapture is an orbital transfer maneuver used to reduce the velocity of a spacecraft from a hyperbolic trajectory to an elliptical orbit around the targeted celestial body where the ...
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What instruments are necessary to measure/determine the process that generates Saturn's internal heat?
I am writing a paper about a possible mission to Saturn but I am a business and Spanish student and am quite ignorant when it comes to the engineering and science behind probes and their instruments; ...
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Are any ISEE-3 like returns expected in the foreseeable future?
The crowdsourced effort to re-establish communication with ISEE-3 was a spectacular event enabled, amongst all, by serendipitous trajectory, that brought the probe near Earth after 35 years travel, ...
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Melting probes in low pressure environment
The icy moons in our solar system Enceladus und Europa are very interesting targets for research because they sport deep oceans of liquid water under their thick shells of ice. But above that icy ...
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Why would TALISE be directed to the shore of Ligeia Mare?
TALISE (Titan Lake In-situ Sampling Propelled Explorer) is a proposed automated boat that would float in a lake called Ligeia Mare on Saturn's moon Titan.
I saw an article that said once it touches ...
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Measuring properties of Van Allen radiation belts
How are the properties of the Van Allen radiation belts measured or monitored?
Below is the link of my question, that leads me to asking this one. One method is mentioned there but there may be others....
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What other space vehicles were affected by cold welding?
The Wikipedia page on cold welding states that
Mechanical problems in early satellites were sometimes attributed to cold welding.
But only mentions Galileo as an example of spacecraft were cold ...
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How likely is it for Chang'e 5 to wake up after lunar night?
I have been wondering how likely it would be for the Chang'e 5 Probe to wake up. I mean the surveyors did this a few times, but were all relatively simpler in design.
Also what gets damaged in the ...
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Energy use of Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission (ARRM)?
In the ARRM feasibility Study Table 4, parameters of four different options (three different launchers and different trajectories) are gathered. What would be the total energy use of a mission like ...
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Were there any identified launch windows and gravity-assist trajectories that could put a probe on a "Grand Tour" trajectory around 1981?
For context, I am developing an alternate history that features a far more ambitious Voyager program than the one undertaken in real life. However, despite the increase in NASA funding provided in the ...
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Listing objects and space probes beyond Earth orbit in Space Track?
Can anyone tell me how to query Space Track to list objects that are beyond Earth orbit. I am thinking of things such as the Voyagers, the Tesla Roadster and Pioneer, as examples?
While there is a ...
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How many asteroids could a retrograde probe in the Asteroid Belt flyby?
Cassini makes frequent flyby's of moons at Saturn. If one similarly put a probe in retrograde heliocentric orbit in the Asteroid Belt, how frequent could one expect to make a near flyby, given the ...
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