Missions

Launch Date: December 20, 1999

The Active Cavity Irradiance Monitor Satellite, or AcrimSat, mission spent 14 years in orbit monitoring Earth's main energy source, radiation from the sun, and its impacts on our planet.

AcrimSat

Active Cavity Irradiance Monitor Satellite

Launch Date: December 20, 1999

Active Cavity Irradiance Monitor Satellite

The Active Cavity Irradiance Monitor Satellite, or AcrimSat, mission spent 14 years in orbit monitoring Earth's main energy source, radiation from the sun, and its impacts on our planet.

Launch Date: December 18, 1999

Designed to capture high-resolution images of Earth, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, or ASTER, instrument is one of five instruments aboard NASA's Terra satellite.

ASTER

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer

Launch Date: December 18, 1999

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer

Designed to capture high-resolution images of Earth, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, or ASTER, instrument is one of five instruments aboard NASA's Terra satellite.

Launch Date: April 3, 2013

The Airborne Snow Observatory is an Earth-based mission designed to collect data on the snow melt flowing out of major water basins in the western United States.

ASO

Airborne Snow Observatory

Launch Date: April 3, 2013

Airborne Snow Observatory

The Airborne Snow Observatory is an Earth-based mission designed to collect data on the snow melt flowing out of major water basins in the western United States.

Launch Date: 2012

AVIRIS-NG is an acronym for the Airborne Visible InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer - Next Generation.

AVIRIS-NG

Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer - Next Generation

Launch Date: 2012

Airborne Visible-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer - Next Generation

AVIRIS-NG is an acronym for the Airborne Visible InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer - Next Generation.

Launch Date: 1986

AVIRIS is the first full spectral range imaging spectrometer and dedicated to Earth Remote Measurement.

AVIRIS

Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer

Launch Date: 1986

Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer

AVIRIS is the first full spectral range imaging spectrometer and dedicated to Earth Remote Measurement.

Launch Date: June 10, 2011

The Aquarius mission provided NASA's first global observations of sea surface salinity, giving climatologists a better understanding of the ocean's role in Earth's water cycle and weather patterns, as well as global climate variability.

Aquarius

Launch Date: June 10, 2011

Aquarius

The Aquarius mission provided NASA's first global observations of sea surface salinity, giving climatologists a better understanding of the ocean's role in Earth's water cycle and weather patterns, as well as global climate variability.

Launch Date: TBD

Asteroid Redirect Mission Ends Development

The Asteroid Redirect Mission was intended to develop a robotic spacecraft to visit a large near-Earth asteroid, collect a multi-ton boulder from its surface and redirect the boulder into orbit around the moon, where astronauts would have explored it and returned to Earth with samples.

ARRM

Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission

Launch Date: TBD

Asteroid Redirect Robotic Mission

Asteroid Redirect Mission Ends Development

The Asteroid Redirect Mission was intended to develop a robotic spacecraft to visit a large near-Earth asteroid, collect a multi-ton boulder from its surface and redirect the boulder into orbit around the moon, where astronauts would have explored it and returned to Earth with samples.

Launch Date: May 4, 2002

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder, or AIRS, instrument is a key tool for climate studies on greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide distribution, as well as weather forecasts.

AIRS

Atmospheric Infrared Sounder

Launch Date: May 4, 2002

Atmospheric Infrared Sounder

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder, or AIRS, instrument is a key tool for climate studies on greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide distribution, as well as weather forecasts.

Launch Date: June 15, 2004

The Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment is an experimental technology on the Earth Observer 1 spacecraft that can autonomously make decisions about what data to collect, process that data and send it back to Earth.

ASE

Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment

Launch Date: June 15, 2004

Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment

The Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment is an experimental technology on the Earth Observer 1 spacecraft that can autonomously make decisions about what data to collect, process that data and send it back to Earth.

Launch Date: October 15, 1997

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: After two decades in space, NASA's Cassini spacecraft reached the end of its remarkable journey of exploration.

Cassini

CAL

Cold Atom Laboratory

Launch Date: May 21, 2018

Cold Atom Laboratory

A facility designed to fly aboard the International Space Station, the Cold Atom Laboratory, or CAL, will make use the space station's unique microgravity environment to observe quantum phenomena that would otherwise be undetectable from Earth.

Launch Date: September 27, 2007

Dawn orbited the protoplanet Vesta and is now in orbit around the dwarf planet Ceres as part of its mission to characterize the conditions and processes that shaped our solar system.

Dawn

Launch Date: September 27, 2007

Dawn

Dawn orbited the protoplanet Vesta and is now in orbit around the dwarf planet Ceres as part of its mission to characterize the conditions and processes that shaped our solar system.

Launch Date: January 12, 2005

Famous for its July 4, 2005 planned impact with comet Tempel 1 that generated a brilliant flash of light later discovered to be ice and dust debris ejecting from the fresh impact crater, the Deep Impact mission was the first attempt to peer beneath the surface of a comet.

Deep Impact

Launch Date: January 12, 2005

Deep Impact

Famous for its July 4, 2005 planned impact with comet Tempel 1 that generated a brilliant flash of light later discovered to be ice and dust debris ejecting from the fresh impact crater, the Deep Impact mission was the first attempt to peer beneath the surface of a comet.

Launch Date: January 12, 2005

The EPOXI mission recycled the Deep Impact spacecraft, which had formerly visited comet Tempel 1, to visit a second comet, Hartley 2.

Comet Hartley 2 Gets a Visitor (Artist Concept)

EPOXI

Deep Impact - EPOXI

Launch Date: January 12, 2005

Deep Impact - EPOXI

The EPOXI mission recycled the Deep Impact spacecraft, which had formerly visited comet Tempel 1, to visit a second comet, Hartley 2.

Launch Date: October 24, 1998

Originally designed to test a dozen new technologies including the use of an ion engine for spacecraft propulsion, Deep Space 1 far outstripped its primary mission goals by also successfully flying by the asteroid 9969 Braille and comet Borrelly.

DS1

Deep Space 1

Launch Date: October 24, 1998

Deep Space 1

Originally designed to test a dozen new technologies including the use of an ion engine for spacecraft propulsion, Deep Space 1 far outstripped its primary mission goals by also successfully flying by the asteroid 9969 Braille and comet Borrelly.

Launch Date: 2018

The Deep Space Atomic Clock, or DSAC, is a technology demonstration of a small, ultra-precise, mercury-ion atomic clock, which will be launched into Earth orbit to test its potential as a next-generation tool for spacecraft navigation, radio science and global positioning systems.

DSAC

Deep Space Atomic Clock

Launch Date: 2018

Deep Space Atomic Clock

The Deep Space Atomic Clock, or DSAC, is a technology demonstration of a small, ultra-precise, mercury-ion atomic clock, which will be launched into Earth orbit to test its potential as a next-generation tool for spacecraft navigation, radio science and global positioning systems.

Launch Date: December 3, 2015

The Disturbance Reduction System, or DRS, designed as part of the Space Technology 7 project, is an experimental system for measuring gravitational waves in space, which are thought to contain important data about the history of the universe.

DRS

Disturbance Reduction System

Launch Date: December 3, 2015

Disturbance Reduction System

The Disturbance Reduction System, or DRS, designed as part of the Space Technology 7 project, is an experimental system for measuring gravitational waves in space, which are thought to contain important data about the history of the universe.

Launch Date: June 18, 2009

An instrument flying aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment is designed to measure surface temperatures on the moon, providing key information for future lunar surface operations and exploration.

DLRE

Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment

Launch Date: June 18, 2009

Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment

An instrument flying aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment is designed to measure surface temperatures on the moon, providing key information for future lunar surface operations and exploration.

Launch Date: June 29, 2018

The ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS), will monitor one of the most basic processes in living plants: the loss of water through the tiny pores in leaves.

ECOSTRESS

ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station

Launch Date: June 29, 2018

ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station

The ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS), will monitor one of the most basic processes in living plants: the loss of water through the tiny pores in leaves.

Launch Date: 2020

Euclid, a planned mission to investigate the profound cosmic mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, has passed its preliminary design review.

Euclid

Launch Date: 2020

Euclid

Euclid, a planned mission to investigate the profound cosmic mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, has passed its preliminary design review.

Launch Date: TBD (2020's)

NASA's Europa Clipper will conduct detailed reconnaissance of Jupiter's moon Europa and investigate whether the icy moon could harbor conditions suitable for life.

Europa Clipper

Launch Date: TBD (2020's)

Europa Clipper

NASA's Europa Clipper will conduct detailed reconnaissance of Jupiter's moon Europa and investigate whether the icy moon could harbor conditions suitable for life.

Launch Date: January 31, 1958

Explorer 1 became the first successfully launched satellite by the United States when it was sent to space on January 31, 1958.

Explorer 1

Launch Date: January 31, 1958

Explorer 1

Explorer 1 became the first successfully launched satellite by the United States when it was sent to space on January 31, 1958.

Launch Date: March 5, 1958

Explorer 2 was the second satellite of the notable Explorer mission series that launched the United States into the Space Age, however, it did not reach the same success as its predecessor, Explorer 1.

Explorer 2

Launch Date: March 5, 1958

Explorer 2

Explorer 2 was the second satellite of the notable Explorer mission series that launched the United States into the Space Age, however, it did not reach the same success as its predecessor, Explorer 1.

Launch Date: March 26, 1958

Explorer 3 was the third satellite of the Explorer mission series and the first successful follow-on to Explorer 1, which made history when in January 1958 it became the United States' first space satellite.

Explorer 3

Launch Date: March 26, 1958

Explorer 3

Explorer 3 was the third satellite of the Explorer mission series and the first successful follow-on to Explorer 1, which made history when in January 1958 it became the United States' first space satellite.

Launch Date: July 26, 1958

Explorer 4 was designed to further investigate the radiation belt around Earth, discovered during the Explorer 1 and 3 missions.

Explorer 4

Launch Date: July 26, 1958

Explorer 4

Explorer 4 was designed to further investigate the radiation belt around Earth, discovered during the Explorer 1 and 3 missions.

Launch Date: August 24, 1958

The Explorer 5 mission was the last of the original series of Explorer satellites designed, built and operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Explorer 5

Launch Date: August 24, 1958

Explorer 5

The Explorer 5 mission was the last of the original series of Explorer satellites designed, built and operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Launch Date: 2023

Science Overview

FINESSE is the first mission dedicated to the spectral characterization of the rapidly growing number of newly discovered worlds.

FINESSE

Fast Infrared Exoplanet Spectroscopy Survey Explorer

Launch Date: 2023

Fast Infrared Exoplanet Spectroscopy Survey Explorer

Science Overview

FINESSE is the first mission dedicated to the spectral characterization of the rapidly growing number of newly discovered worlds.

Launch Date: April 28, 2003

The Galaxy Evolution Explorer was an orbiting space telescope designed to observe the universe in ultraviolet wavelengths to measure the history of star formation in the universe.

Galaxy Evolution Explorer

Launch Date: April 28, 2003

Galaxy Evolution Explorer

The Galaxy Evolution Explorer was an orbiting space telescope designed to observe the universe in ultraviolet wavelengths to measure the history of star formation in the universe.

Launch Date: October 18, 1989

While its aim was to study Jupiter and its mysterious moons, which it did with much success, NASA's Galileo mission also became notable for discoveries during its journey to the gas giant.

Galileo

Launch Date: October 18, 1989

Galileo

While its aim was to study Jupiter and its mysterious moons, which it did with much success, NASA's Galileo mission also became notable for discoveries during its journey to the gas giant.

Launch Date: August 8, 2001

Designed to gain a better understanding of our cosmic origins, the Genesis spacecraft was launched in August 2001 to collect solar wind samples and return them to Earth for study.

Genesis

Launch Date: August 8, 2001

Genesis

Designed to gain a better understanding of our cosmic origins, the Genesis spacecraft was launched in August 2001 to collect solar wind samples and return them to Earth for study.

Launch Date: March 17, 2002

An award-winning mission that's changed the way we study Earth's gravitational forces and the Earth system, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, or GRACE, mission flew twin spacecraft in tandem around Earth to study key changes in the planet's waters, ice sheets and the solid Earth.

GRACE

Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment

Launch Date: March 17, 2002

Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment

An award-winning mission that's changed the way we study Earth's gravitational forces and the Earth system, the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, or GRACE, mission flew twin spacecraft in tandem around Earth to study key changes in the planet's waters, ice sheets and the solid Earth.

Launch Date: May 22, 2018

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on (GRACE-FO) mission is a partnership between NASA and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ).

GRACE-FO

Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On

Launch Date: May 22, 2018

Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on (GRACE-FO) mission is a partnership between NASA and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ).

Launch Date: September 10, 2011

The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory, or GRAIL, mission was designed to create the most accurate gravitational map of the moon to date, which when combined with topographic data, can provide insight into the moon's internal structure, composition and evolution.

GRAIL

Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory

Launch Date: September 10, 2011

Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory

The Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory, or GRAIL, mission was designed to create the most accurate gravitational map of the moon to date, which when combined with topographic data, can provide insight into the moon's internal structure, composition and evolution.

Launch Date: May 9, 2003

The first mission to return a sample of material from the surface of a near-Earth object, the Japanese Hayabusa spacecraft, which also carried a mini-lander named MINERVA, was originally designed as a technology demonstration mission.

Hayabusa

Launch Date: May 9, 2003

Hayabusa

The first mission to return a sample of material from the surface of a near-Earth object, the Japanese Hayabusa spacecraft, which also carried a mini-lander named MINERVA, was originally designed as a technology demonstration mission.

Launch Date: May 14, 2009

A space-based telescope designed to study some of the coldest and darkest regions of the universe using infrared light, Herschel was responsible for numerous findings about dark matter, galaxies and other cosmic mysteries.

Herschel Space Observatory

Launch Date: May 14, 2009

Herschel Space Observatory

A space-based telescope designed to study some of the coldest and darkest regions of the universe using infrared light, Herschel was responsible for numerous findings about dark matter, galaxies and other cosmic mysteries.

Launch Date: To be determined

A brainchild of the Space Technology 6 project, the Inertial Stellar Compass is a conceptual advanced navigation system designed to allow spacecraft of the future to operate more autonomously.

Inertial Stellar Compass

Launch Date: To be determined

Inertial Stellar Compass

A brainchild of the Space Technology 6 project, the Inertial Stellar Compass is a conceptual advanced navigation system designed to allow spacecraft of the future to operate more autonomously.

Launch Date: January 25, 1983

The Infrared Astronomical Satellite, or IRAS, was the first mission to put a telescope in space to survey the sky in infrared.

IRAS

Infrared Astronomical Satellite

Launch Date: January 25, 1983

Infrared Astronomical Satellite

The Infrared Astronomical Satellite, or IRAS, was the first mission to put a telescope in space to survey the sky in infrared.

Launch Date: May 5, 2018

InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to give the Red Planet its first thorough checkup since it formed 4.

InSight

Launch Date: May 5, 2018

InSight

InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander designed to give the Red Planet its first thorough checkup since it formed 4.

Launch Date: September 21, 2014

The ISS-RapidScat instrument was a speedy and cost-effective replacement for NASA's QuikScat Earth satellite, which monitored ocean winds to provide essential measurements used in weather predictions, including hurricane monitoring.

ISS-RapidScat

International Space Station Rapid Scatterometer

Launch Date: September 21, 2014

International Space Station Rapid Scatterometer

The ISS-RapidScat instrument was a speedy and cost-effective replacement for NASA's QuikScat Earth satellite, which monitored ocean winds to provide essential measurements used in weather predictions, including hurricane monitoring.

Launch Date: December 7, 2001

The Jason-1 Earth satellite, which for 11 years mapped sea level, wind speed and wave height for more than 95 percent of Earth's ice-free ocean, provided new insights into ocean circulation, tracked our rising seas and enabled more accurate weather, ocean and climate forecasts.

Jason 1

Launch Date: December 7, 2001

Jason 1

The Jason-1 Earth satellite, which for 11 years mapped sea level, wind speed and wave height for more than 95 percent of Earth's ice-free ocean, provided new insights into ocean circulation, tracked our rising seas and enabled more accurate weather, ocean and climate forecasts.

Launch Date: June 20, 2008

Jason 2 is an Earth satellite designed to make observations of ocean topography for investigations into sea-level rise and the relationship between ocean circulation and climate change.

Jason 2

Launch Date: June 20, 2008

Jason 2

Jason 2 is an Earth satellite designed to make observations of ocean topography for investigations into sea-level rise and the relationship between ocean circulation and climate change.

Launch Date: January 17, 2016

Extending the timeline of ocean surface topography measurements begun by the Topex/Poseidon and Jason 1 and 2 satellites, Jason 3 will make highly detailed measurements of sea-level on Earth to gain insight into ocean circulation and climate change.

Jason 3

Launch Date: January 17, 2016

Jason 3

Extending the timeline of ocean surface topography measurements begun by the Topex/Poseidon and Jason 1 and 2 satellites, Jason 3 will make highly detailed measurements of sea-level on Earth to gain insight into ocean circulation and climate change.

Launch Date: August 5, 2011

The Juno spacecraft, which successfully entered the orbit of Jupiter on July 4, 2016, will for the first time peer below the dense cover of clouds to answer questions about the gas giant and the origins of our solar system.

Juno

Launch Date: August 5, 2011

Juno

The Juno spacecraft, which successfully entered the orbit of Jupiter on July 4, 2016, will for the first time peer below the dense cover of clouds to answer questions about the gas giant and the origins of our solar system.

Launch Date: March 12, 2001

The Keck Interferometer was a ground-based instrument that combined the light from the twin Keck telescopes to create an instrument equal in power to an 85-meter telescope that could detect and study stars and planets beyond our solar system.

Keck Interferometer

Launch Date: March 12, 2001

Keck Interferometer

The Keck Interferometer was a ground-based instrument that combined the light from the twin Keck telescopes to create an instrument equal in power to an 85-meter telescope that could detect and study stars and planets beyond our solar system.

Launch Date: March 6, 2009

Kepler is a space telescope designed to survey a portion of the Milky Way galaxy in search of exoplanets, which are planets outside our solar system.

Kepler

Launch Date: March 6, 2009

Kepler

Kepler is a space telescope designed to survey a portion of the Milky Way galaxy in search of exoplanets, which are planets outside our solar system.

Launch Date: December 6, 2010

The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer, or LBTI, is a ground-based instrument connecting two 8-meter class telescopes on Mount Graham in Arizona to form the largest single-mount telescope in the world.

LBTI

Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer

Launch Date: December 6, 2010

Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer

The Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer, or LBTI, is a ground-based instrument connecting two 8-meter class telescopes on Mount Graham in Arizona to form the largest single-mount telescope in the world.

Launch Date: May 4, 1989

The Magellan spacecraft, which arrived at Venus in 1990, made the first global map of the surface of Venus as well as global maps of the planet's gravity field.

Magellan

Launch Date: May 4, 1989

Magellan

The Magellan spacecraft, which arrived at Venus in 1990, made the first global map of the surface of Venus as well as global maps of the planet's gravity field.

Launch Date: July 22, 1962

The first attempt by the United States to send a spacecraft to Venus, Mariner 1 was destroyed by the range safety officer about 290 seconds after launch when it veered off course.

Mariner 1

Launch Date: July 22, 1962

Mariner 1

The first attempt by the United States to send a spacecraft to Venus, Mariner 1 was destroyed by the range safety officer about 290 seconds after launch when it veered off course.

Launch Date: November 3, 1973

The first mission to employ gravity assist, or using the gravity of a planet to alter a spacecraft's speed and trajectory to fly by its target planet, the Mariner 10 mission flew by both Venus and Mercury, snapping photos and collecting data.

Mariner 10

Launch Date: November 3, 1973

Mariner 10

The first mission to employ gravity assist, or using the gravity of a planet to alter a spacecraft's speed and trajectory to fly by its target planet, the Mariner 10 mission flew by both Venus and Mercury, snapping photos and collecting data.

Launch Date: August 27, 1962

Mariner 2 became the first successful mission to another planet when it flew by Venus on December 14, 1962.

Mariner 2

Launch Date: August 27, 1962

Mariner 2

Mariner 2 became the first successful mission to another planet when it flew by Venus on December 14, 1962.

Launch Date: November 5, 1964

Mariner 3 was designed to fly by Mars and conduct other interplanetary experiments along the way.

Mariner 3

Launch Date: November 5, 1964

Mariner 3

Mariner 3 was designed to fly by Mars and conduct other interplanetary experiments along the way.

Launch Date: November 28, 1964

One of the great successes of the early American space program, the Mariner 4 mission journeyed to Mars -- making its closest approach on July 15, 1965 -- and took the first photos of another planet from space.

Mariner 4

Launch Date: November 28, 1964

Mariner 4

One of the great successes of the early American space program, the Mariner 4 mission journeyed to Mars -- making its closest approach on July 15, 1965 -- and took the first photos of another planet from space.

Launch Date: June 14, 1967

Originally built as a backup to the Mariner 4 spacecraft, which successfully journeyed to Mars in 1965, Mariner 5 was modified to fly by Venus and collect data on the planet's atmosphere, radiation and magnetic field.

Mariner 5

Launch Date: June 14, 1967

Mariner 5

Originally built as a backup to the Mariner 4 spacecraft, which successfully journeyed to Mars in 1965, Mariner 5 was modified to fly by Venus and collect data on the planet's atmosphere, radiation and magnetic field.

Launch Date: February 25, 1969

Along with its twin Mariner 7 spacecraft, Mariner 6 was designed to make a close flyby of Mars to study the surface for signs of life and develop technology for future missions.

Mariner 6

Launch Date: February 25, 1969

Mariner 6

Along with its twin Mariner 7 spacecraft, Mariner 6 was designed to make a close flyby of Mars to study the surface for signs of life and develop technology for future missions.

Launch Date: March 27, 1969

The Mariner 7 spacecraft made a close flyby of Mars just five days after its twin spacecraft, Mariner 6, in 1969.

Mariner 7

Launch Date: March 27, 1969

Mariner 7

The Mariner 7 spacecraft made a close flyby of Mars just five days after its twin spacecraft, Mariner 6, in 1969.

Launch Date: May 8, 1971

Designed to be the first American spacecraft to study the Red Planet from a Martian orbit, Mariner 8 (also called Mariner H) fell victim to a malfunction in the stage's flight-control system shortly after launch.

Mariner 8 (Mariner H)

Launch Date: May 8, 1971

Mariner 8 (Mariner H)

Designed to be the first American spacecraft to study the Red Planet from a Martian orbit, Mariner 8 (also called Mariner H) fell victim to a malfunction in the stage's flight-control system shortly after launch.

Launch Date: May 30, 1971

In 1971, the Mariner 9 spacecraft beat the Soviet Mars 2 to the Red Planet to become the first spacecraft to orbit another planet.

Mariner 9 (Mariner I)

Launch Date: May 30, 1971

Mariner 9 (Mariner I)

In 1971, the Mariner 9 spacecraft beat the Soviet Mars 2 to the Red Planet to become the first spacecraft to orbit another planet.

Launch Date: Summer 2020

The Mars 2020 rover will investigate a region of Mars where the ancient environment may have been favorable for microbial life, probing the Martian rocks for evidence of past life.

Mars 2020

Launch Date: Summer 2020

Mars 2020

The Mars 2020 rover will investigate a region of Mars where the ancient environment may have been favorable for microbial life, probing the Martian rocks for evidence of past life.

Launch Date: December 11, 1998

Designed to study Mars from orbit and serve as a communications relay for the Mars Polar Lander and Deep Space probes, the Mars Climate Orbiter was unsuccessful due to a navigation error caused by a failure to translate English units to metric.

Mars Climate Orbiter

Launch Date: December 11, 1998

Mars Climate Orbiter

Designed to study Mars from orbit and serve as a communications relay for the Mars Polar Lander and Deep Space probes, the Mars Climate Orbiter was unsuccessful due to a navigation error caused by a failure to translate English units to metric.

Launch Date: July 7, 2003

Opportunity was the second of the two rovers launched in 2003 to land on Mars and begin traversing the Red Planet in search of signs of past life.

MER

Mars Exploration Rover - Opportunity

Launch Date: July 7, 2003

Mars Exploration Rover - Opportunity

Opportunity was the second of the two rovers launched in 2003 to land on Mars and begin traversing the Red Planet in search of signs of past life.

Launch Date: June 10, 2003

One of two rovers launched in 2003 to explore Mars and search for signs of past life, Spirit far outlasted her planned 90-day mission.

Artist concept of Mars Exploration Rover

MER

Mars Exploration Rover - Spirit

Launch Date: June 10, 2003

Mars Exploration Rover - Spirit

One of two rovers launched in 2003 to explore Mars and search for signs of past life, Spirit far outlasted her planned 90-day mission.

Launch Date: November 7, 1996

The Mars Global Surveyor orbiter, which operated on Mars for more than nine years, was designed to study the composition of Mars, map its topography and monitor weather patterns.

Mars Global Surveyor

Launch Date: November 7, 1996

Mars Global Surveyor

The Mars Global Surveyor orbiter, which operated on Mars for more than nine years, was designed to study the composition of Mars, map its topography and monitor weather patterns.

Launch Date: September 25, 1992

The Mars Observer was based on a commercial Earth-orbiting spacecraft and designed to study and take high-resolution photography of the Martian surface.

Mars Observer

Launch Date: September 25, 1992

Mars Observer

The Mars Observer was based on a commercial Earth-orbiting spacecraft and designed to study and take high-resolution photography of the Martian surface.

Launch Date: April 7, 2001

With more than 10 years in orbit and counting, the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft has spent more time in orbit around the Red Planet, collecting data on Mars' climate and geology, than any other spacecraft in history.

Mars Odyssey

Launch Date: April 7, 2001

Mars Odyssey

With more than 10 years in orbit and counting, the 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft has spent more time in orbit around the Red Planet, collecting data on Mars' climate and geology, than any other spacecraft in history.

Launch Date: December 4, 1996

The Mars Pathfinder mission, designed to demonstrate a low-cost method for delivering a set of science instruments to the Red Planet, was the first wheeled vehicle to be used on any other planet in the solar system and served as the foundation for the Mars rovers of today.

Mars Pathfinder / Sojourner Rover

Launch Date: December 4, 1996

Mars Pathfinder / Sojourner Rover

The Mars Pathfinder mission, designed to demonstrate a low-cost method for delivering a set of science instruments to the Red Planet, was the first wheeled vehicle to be used on any other planet in the solar system and served as the foundation for the Mars rovers of today.

Launch Date: January 3, 1999

Designed to dig for water ice on Mars with a robotic arm, the Mars Polar Lander would have been the first-ever spacecraft to land on a polar region of the Red Planet.

Mars Polar Lander / Deep Space 2

Launch Date: January 3, 1999

Mars Polar Lander / Deep Space 2

Designed to dig for water ice on Mars with a robotic arm, the Mars Polar Lander would have been the first-ever spacecraft to land on a polar region of the Red Planet.

Launch Date: August 12, 2005

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, or MRO, has studied the Red Planet's atmosphere and terrain from orbit since 2006 and also serves as a key data relay station for other Mars missions, including the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity.

MRO

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Launch Date: August 12, 2005

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, or MRO, has studied the Red Planet's atmosphere and terrain from orbit since 2006 and also serves as a key data relay station for other Mars missions, including the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity.

Launch Date: To be determined

Mars Sample Return is a proposed mission to return samples from the surface of Mars to Earth.

MSR

Mars Sample Return

Launch Date: To be determined

Mars Sample Return

Mars Sample Return is a proposed mission to return samples from the surface of Mars to Earth.

Launch Date: November 26, 2011

The Mars Science Laboratory mission's Curiosity rover, the most technologically advanced rover ever built, landed in Mars' Gale Crater the evening of Aug.

Curiosity: The Next Mars Rover (Artist's Concept)

MSL

Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover

Launch Date: November 26, 2011

Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover

The Mars Science Laboratory mission's Curiosity rover, the most technologically advanced rover ever built, landed in Mars' Gale Crater the evening of Aug.

Launch Date: March 2, 2004

Flying aboard the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft, the NASA-built Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter, or MIRO, is studying gases given off by comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko now that the spacecraft has successfully entered orbit around the object in August 2014.

MIRO

Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter

Launch Date: March 2, 2004

Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter

Flying aboard the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft, the NASA-built Microwave Instrument for the Rosetta Orbiter, or MIRO, is studying gases given off by comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko now that the spacecraft has successfully entered orbit around the object in August 2014.

Launch Date: July 15, 2004

Making up one piece of the most advanced and accurate atmospheric chemistry laboratory ever deployed in space, the Microwave Limb Sounder, or MLS, instrument flies aboard NASA's Aura Earth satellite with three other instruments.

MLS

Microwave Limb Sounder

Launch Date: July 15, 2004

Microwave Limb Sounder

Making up one piece of the most advanced and accurate atmospheric chemistry laboratory ever deployed in space, the Microwave Limb Sounder, or MLS, instrument flies aboard NASA's Aura Earth satellite with three other instruments.

Launch Date: 2018

Designed to play a key role in NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, the Mid-Infrared Instrument, or MIRI, will image stars and galaxies in infrared light.

MIRI

Mid-Infrared Instrument

Launch Date: 2018

Mid-Infrared Instrument

Designed to play a key role in NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, the Mid-Infrared Instrument, or MIRI, will image stars and galaxies in infrared light.

Launch Date: October 22, 2008

The Moon Mineralogy Mapper, or M3, instrument flew aboard Chandrayaan-1, India's first mission to the moon, and provided the first mineralogical map of the lunar suface.

M3

Moon Mineralogy Mapper

Launch Date: October 22, 2008

Moon Mineralogy Mapper

The Moon Mineralogy Mapper, or M3, instrument flew aboard Chandrayaan-1, India's first mission to the moon, and provided the first mineralogical map of the lunar suface.

Launch Date: 2021

Currently in development, MAIA will make radiometric and polarimetric measurements needed to characterize the sizes, compositions and quantities of particulate matter in air pollution.

Air pollution smoke rising from plant tower.

MAIA

Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols

Launch Date: 2021

Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols

Currently in development, MAIA will make radiometric and polarimetric measurements needed to characterize the sizes, compositions and quantities of particulate matter in air pollution.

Launch Date: December 18, 1999

The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer, or MISR, instrument is one of five instruments aboard NASA's Terra satellite, which is collecting important data on the causes and effects of global climate change.

MISR

Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer

Launch Date: December 18, 1999

Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer

The Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer, or MISR, instrument is one of five instruments aboard NASA's Terra satellite, which is collecting important data on the causes and effects of global climate change.

Launch Date: August 16, 1996

Designed to gather data on the speed and direction of winds that cause ocean waves, the NASA Scatterometer instrument flew aboard Japan's Advanced Earth Observation Satellite, or ADEOS.

NSCAT

NASA Scatterometer

Launch Date: August 16, 1996

NASA Scatterometer

Designed to gather data on the speed and direction of winds that cause ocean waves, the NASA Scatterometer instrument flew aboard Japan's Advanced Earth Observation Satellite, or ADEOS.

Launch Date: 2020

Using advanced radar imaging that will provide an unprecedented, detailed view of Earth, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, or NISAR, satellite is designed to observe and take measurements of some of the planet's most complex processes, including ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.

NISAR

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar

Launch Date: 2020

NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar

Using advanced radar imaging that will provide an unprecedented, detailed view of Earth, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, or NISAR, satellite is designed to observe and take measurements of some of the planet's most complex processes, including ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.

Launch Date: December 14, 2009

The NEOWISE mission uses a space telescope to hunt for asteroids and comets, including those that could pose a threat to Earth.

NEOWISE

Launch Date: December 14, 2009

NEOWISE

The NEOWISE mission uses a space telescope to hunt for asteroids and comets, including those that could pose a threat to Earth.

Launch Date: June 13, 2012

The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, mission will study the universe in high energy X-rays to better understand the dynamics of black holes, exploding stars and the most extreme active galaxies.

NuSTAR

Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array

Launch Date: June 13, 2012

Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array

The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, mission will study the universe in high energy X-rays to better understand the dynamics of black holes, exploding stars and the most extreme active galaxies.

Launch Date: April 18, 2014

The Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science, or OPALS, is a technology demonstration aboard the International Space Station designed to test the use of focused laser energy for space communications.

OPALS

Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science

Launch Date: April 18, 2014

Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science

The Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science, or OPALS, is a technology demonstration aboard the International Space Station designed to test the use of focused laser energy for space communications.

Launch Date: February 24, 2009

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, was designed to make space-based observations of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere to better understand the characteristics of climate change.

OCO

Orbiting Carbon Observatory

Launch Date: February 24, 2009

Orbiting Carbon Observatory

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory, or OCO, was designed to make space-based observations of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere to better understand the characteristics of climate change.

Launch Date: July 2, 2014

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2, or OCO-2, is an Earth satellite mission designed to study the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide globally and provide scientists with a better idea of how carbon is contributing to climate change.

OCO-2

Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2

Launch Date: July 2, 2014

Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2, or OCO-2, is an Earth satellite mission designed to study the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide globally and provide scientists with a better idea of how carbon is contributing to climate change.

Launch Date: To be determined

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3, or OCO-3, is a future space instrument designed to investigate important questions about the distribution of carbon dioxide on Earth as it relates to growing urban populations and changing patterns of fossil fuel combustion.

OCO-3

Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3

Launch Date: To be determined

Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3

The Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3, or OCO-3, is a future space instrument designed to investigate important questions about the distribution of carbon dioxide on Earth as it relates to growing urban populations and changing patterns of fossil fuel combustion.

Launch Date: August 4, 2007

Phoenix was a lander sent to the surface of Mars to search for evidence of past or present microbial life.

Phoenix

Launch Date: August 4, 2007

Phoenix

Phoenix was a lander sent to the surface of Mars to search for evidence of past or present microbial life.

Launch Date: December 6, 1958

The Pioneer 3 mission was one of the first attempts by the United States to send a spacecraft to the moon.

Pioneer 3

Launch Date: December 6, 1958

Pioneer 3

The Pioneer 3 mission was one of the first attempts by the United States to send a spacecraft to the moon.

Launch Date: March 3, 1959

The Pioneer 4 mission was the second of two early attempts by the United States to send a spacecraft to the moon.

Pioneer 4

Launch Date: March 3, 1959

Pioneer 4

The Pioneer 4 mission was the second of two early attempts by the United States to send a spacecraft to the moon.

Launch Date: May 14, 2009

Designed to study ancient radiation from the big bang, the Planck space telescope was a European Space Agency mission that aimed to better understand the origin of the universe and the formation of galaxies.

Planck

Launch Date: May 14, 2009

Planck

Designed to study ancient radiation from the big bang, the Planck space telescope was a European Space Agency mission that aimed to better understand the origin of the universe and the formation of galaxies.

Launch Date: 2012

The coastal zone is home to a high fraction of humanity and is increasingly affected by natural and human-induced events from tsunamis to toxic blooms and oil spills.

PRISM

Portable Remote Imaging SpectroMeter

Launch Date: 2012

Portable Remote Imaging SpectroMeter

The coastal zone is home to a high fraction of humanity and is increasingly affected by natural and human-induced events from tsunamis to toxic blooms and oil spills.