Unmanned spacecraft, often referred to as “unmanned ships” in Chinese, are vital tools for space exploration. They carry out various tasks in the vastness of space, from scientific research to delivering supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). Here, we delve into the English names of several renowned unmanned spaceships and highlight their key information.
1. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Unmanned Spaceships
a. Mars rovers
Curiosity (launched in 2011): This rover has been exploring the Martian surface, looking for evidence of past life and assessing the planet’s habitability.
- Key Information: The car-sized rover carries a variety of scientific instruments and is equipped with a drill for collecting soil samples.
Perseverance (launched in 2020): Its primary mission is to collect and cache rock and soil samples on Mars for a future return to Earth.
- Key Information: The rover uses a technology called “SkyCrane” to deploy its Sample Caching System, which involves a robotic arm, a caching system, and a cache system.
b. Deep Space probes
Pioneer 10 (launched in 1972): The first spacecraft to leave the Solar System, Pioneer 10 was launched to study the outer planets and the gas giant Jupiter.
- Key Information: It carried a plaque that depicted the position of Earth and its spacecraft in the Milky Way galaxy.
Voyager 1 (launched in 1977): This spacecraft has traveled farther than any other human-made object, exploring the outer heliosphere and the interstellar medium.
- Key Information: Voyager 1 has detected the heliopause, the boundary between the Sun’s influence and interstellar space.
c. Hubble Space Telescope
- Hubble Space Telescope (launched in 1990): One of the most important space observatories, it has provided stunning images and valuable scientific data.
- Key Information: The Hubble Space Telescope has made over 1.5 million observations, contributing to our understanding of the cosmos.
2. ESA (European Space Agency) Unmanned Spaceships
a. ExoMars
ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (launched in 2016): This orbiter is searching for signs of life on Mars, including methane and other trace gases.
- Key Information: It carries scientific instruments that measure the distribution of trace gases in the Martian atmosphere.
ExoMars Rover (planned launch in 2020): The rover will land on Mars and investigate the planet’s subsurface for signs of life.
- Key Information: The rover will be equipped with a drill that can penetrate up to 2 meters into the ground to collect rock samples.
3. CNSA (China National Space Administration) Unmanned Spaceships
a. Chang’e series
Chang’e 1 (launched in 2007): China’s first lunar orbiter, it mapped the lunar surface and tested deep space technology.
- Key Information: Chang’e 1 provided high-resolution images of the lunar surface and confirmed the moon’s gravity field.
Chang’e 3 (launched in 2013): The first Chinese lander to soft-land on the moon, it carried the Yutu rover for exploration.
- Key Information: The Yutu rover successfully transmitted images and data from the moon’s surface.
Unmanned spaceships have revolutionized our approach to space exploration, enabling us to explore distant planets, stars, and galaxies. By providing valuable data and imagery, these spacecraft continue to enhance our understanding of the universe and its mysteries.