Over the years that NASA’s space research has been active, there have been many rovers, satellites, and probes that have been sent into space. Discover in this article its history and some of the most relevant ones.
They were all sent to conquer space, and most of them They returned a lot of information. However, once they completed their mission, they were supposed to stop working. But that was not the case. Satellites and rovers used by NASA And other countries sent to space and are still to this day sending information from the universe, beyond what was previously planned.
Thus, from the depths of the solar system, even today we receive information from all Satellites, spacecraft and other space probes which is still active. This is to surprise the best Aeronautical engineers from all over the world.
Probes, Satellites, and Rovers: The Archeology of Space
Most space agencies intend to shoot down all satellites orbiting the Earth that are no longer active. Something similar is happening with rovers sent to the Moon and Mars, though it’s less urgent. But the truth is, there are not a few voices against these demolition technologies, since many of these satellites, probes and rovers make up what have come to be called “Historical Spatial Heritage”. The satellite Vanguard 1 The oldest still in orbit allowed us to determine that our planet is not a perfect sphere. he Syncom 3, who went down in history for being The first geostationary communications satellite. Or even Apollo 10’s Snoopy Lunar Module, which keeps orbiting the Sun without anyone really knowing where it is. In this sense, there are many websites where satellites can be monitored in real time.
Why do spacecraft, satellites and probes last so long in space?
The reason the machines we send into space have so much resistance is mainly due to the extreme conditions they have to face. This might be, for example, extreme temperatures and cosmic radiation, etc. For this reason, spacecraft, satellites and probes that are sent into space are subject to unusually harsh controls and tests. The result is machines ready to resist outer space conditions.
Pioneer 6: Solar Storm
Pioneer 6 was a space probe launched by NASA in 1965. Its goal was transmission of data about the interplanetary magnetic field, Cosmic rays and the solar wind, through a study solar storms. Designed to be only 6 months old, Pioneer 6 is still transmitting data today. The question is that its photovoltaic panels were badly damaged, But not their plasma and cosmic ray measuring devices. If NASA wanted I could continue to interact with her, but today there are more promising projects that made this heroine than Space research.
Designed to study solar storms, the Pioneer 6 probe is part of the history of the conquest of space
Rover Opportunity: 14 years of faithful service
An astronaut sent on a three-month mission ended up dead Active for over 14 years. Designed to reach Mars during the Martian summer, Chance has been around for many years Pioneer at NASA The rover that told the world that “no one can follow the United States when it comes to space research.” During the design and assembly process, many aspects have been taken into account, but mainly the fact that The sun shines weakly on Mars, Which makes it difficult to operate the solar panels. In the same way, there was another item evaluated Mars reaches a temperature of -100 degrees Celsius, Temperatures that threatened to severely damage all electronic components of this robot that has done so much to conquer space. Although in the end, it was the worst item he could find sand storm It gets its boards so dirty that it stops generating power to continue performing its exploratory functions. To everyone’s surprise, gusts of wind cleaned the solar panels and Chance was able to be active again And provide new information about our neighboring planet.
Perhaps a future colony on Mars will remember this robot as one of the greatest explorers of the past.
Voyager 1: Exploring the Solar System
It has been flying over space since September 5, 1977, the date this NASA probe launched into space. his mission? Study of the solar system Mainly its limits, as well Kuiper belt. That said, it doesn’t have to stop: We expect Voyager 1 to continue on its way and not stop, to go further than we went Which transmits data that makes us rethink the laws of physics, that makes us understand that the Milky Way is just a small point in this gigantic universe. Because, as crazy as it sounds, the Voyager 1 It continues to transmit information from interstellar space (without leaving the solar system), at a distance of more than 17,500 million km. they plutonium batteries Still responding correctly, you should exit Oort cloud Within 17,702 years. A gift for future generations that although they would have increasing troubles to continue receiving the information he sent, they would be able to look back with pride on the achievements of the human species thousands of years ago.
One of the best machines ever built by man, Voyager 1
