Space exploration archive

This archive of space missions is not currently being updated.

  • Ulysses
    Information on Ulysses, the joint ESA/NASA mission exploring space above the poles of the Sun.
    Ulysses
  • Deep Impact
    In July 2005 the NASA spacecraft Deep Impact watched as a projectile made the first controlled collision with a comet.
    Deep Impact
  • 'New Horizons' sets off for Pluto
    The first mission to Pluto, NASA's 'New Horizons' probe, was launched on 19 January 2006. 
    'New Horizons' sets off for Pluto
  • New Horizons
    Launched in January 2006, 'New Horizons' will explore Pluto and its three moons.
    New Horizons
  • The International Space Station
    November and December 1998 saw the launch of the first two modules of the International Space Station.
    The International Space Station
  • Mir, 1986-2001
    The Russian space station Mir (meaning 'Peace') was launched in 1986 by the then Soviet Union.
    Mir, 1986-2001
  • The Galileo Spacecraft Mission to Jupiter
    Galileo was a NASA spacecraft mission to Jupiter, launched October 1989, operating until September 2003.
    The Galileo Spacecraft Mission to Jupiter
  • Hipparcos
    The satellite HIPPARCOS, developed by the European Space Agency was the first ever 'astrometric' satellite.
    Hipparcos
  • Stardust
    The Stardust probe was the first mission to collect dust and carbon-based samples from a comet and return them to Earth.
    Stardust
  • The Genesis Mission
    NASA's Genesis probe was the first attempt to collect samples of the solar wind and return them to Earth.
    The Genesis Mission
  • Iridium was a telecommunications company which used small satellites to provide a mobile system which could work anywhere on the Earth’s surface.
  • The GAIA Mission
    In 2010, the GAIA spacecraft will begin to produce a three-dimensional map of the stars in the Milky Way.
    The GAIA Mission
  • Integral – Europe’s gamma ray observatory
    Launched in October 2002, Integral is ESA’s first gamma ray observatory.
    Integral – Europe’s gamma ray observatory
  • The Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn
    In 1997 an ambitious voyage began with the launch of the joint NASA-ESA mission Cassini-Huygens.
    The Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn
  • Kepler
    In 2008 NASA launched the Kepler mission, a space-based observatory to look for Earth-like planets.
    Kepler
  • The Double Star Programme (DSP)
    DSP is a joint mission between ESA and CNSA to study the effects of the Sun on the Earth's magnetosphere.
    The Double Star Programme (DSP)
  • The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
    The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is a spacecraft investigating the Sun.
    The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO)
  • Venus Express
    Venus Express, Europe's first mission to our nearest planetary neighbour, reached its final orbit on 7 May 2006.
    Venus Express
  • Rosetta begins its ten-year journey
    ESA launched the Rosetta probe in 2004, to study the surface of a comet at close range.
    Rosetta begins its ten-year journey
  • Mars Express
    The European-built probe 'Mars Express' is in low-orbit around Mars.
    Mars Express
  • Bepi Colombo
    In 2008 the European Space Agency (ESA) launched a probe to Mercury, scheduled to arrive in 2019.
    Bepi Colombo
  • HETE-2
    The High-Energy Transient Explorer (HETE-2) satellite was launched in October 2000.
    HETE-2
  • Messenger
    Messenger is a NASA probe en route to Mercury. It should enter orbit around the planet in March 2011.
    Messenger
  • Beagle 2 declared lost
    The British-made probe Beagle 2 was declared lost in January 2004. The probe was due to land on Mars on Christmas morning 2003.
    Beagle 2 declared lost
  • Cassini finds lakes on Titan
    The Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn found lakes near the north pole of the largest moon, Titan.
    Cassini finds lakes on Titan
  • Water on Mars – buried craters and underground ice?
    The European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft Mars Express has discovered a layer of water ice deep beneath the surface of Mars.
    Water on Mars – buried craters and underground ice?
  • Space shuttle Discovery docks with International Space Station
    After several delays and a wait of over a year, the space shuttle Discovery took off on 4 July 2006.
    Space shuttle Discovery docks with International Space Station
  • Shuttle missions look set to continue after Discovery landing
    On 17 July 2006, the shuttle Discovery landed safely at the Kennedy Space Center after 13 days in space.
    Shuttle missions look set to continue after Discovery landing
  • SMART-1 comes to an end right on time
    After a 2-year mission to the Moon, the SMART-1 probe crashed into the lunar surface at 0642 BST on 3 September 2006.
    SMART-1 comes to an end right on time