spacecraft
14 questions tagged spacecraft — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
Which is the most distant human-made object?
NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, launched in 1977, is the most distant human-made object, now more than 25 billion km from Earth.
Where is the Voyager 1 spacecraft now?
Voyager 1 is in interstellar space, beyond the heliopause, traveling away from the Sun. It was the first human-made object to enter that region.
Which spacecraft has traveled farthest from Earth?
Voyager 1 is the farthest human-made object from Earth. It launched in 1977 and is now more than 160 astronomical units away.
Which spacecraft is the longest-operating probe in space?
Voyager 1 is the longest-operating spacecraft still functioning. It has been operating since 1977.
Which human-made object has reached the greatest speed?
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe holds the record for the fastest human-made object. It has reached speeds of about 635,000 km/h near the Sun.
Which is the oldest spacecraft still in operation?
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are the oldest active spacecraft, both launched in 1977. Voyager 1 is slightly older by launch date.
Which object is the farthest human-made thing still operating?
Voyager 1 is the farthest human-made object still operating. It is more than 160 AU from Earth and continues to send back data.
Which spacecraft has operated the longest in deep space?
Voyager 2 is one of the longest-operating spacecraft in deep space. Launched in 1977, it is still active and has visited all four outer planets.
How do deep-space probes keep working for decades?
They use long-lasting power systems, careful thermal control, and extremely reliable software and hardware. Some, like Voyager, run on radioisotope power instead of solar panels.
What is a capsule in spaceflight?
A space capsule is a small spacecraft designed to carry crew or cargo and return safely through the atmosphere. Its shape helps it survive reentry.
When was the first spacecraft sent to Mercury?
The first spacecraft to visit Mercury was Mariner 10 in 1974.
When was the first spacecraft sent to Venus?
The first spacecraft to visit Venus was Mariner 2 in 1962.
How does a space telescope stay pointed at one target for so long?
It uses precision gyroscopes, reaction wheels, star trackers, and thrusters to hold a stable orientation. These systems can keep a telescope aimed steadily for hours, days, or months.
Which spacecraft was the first to leave the Solar System’s heliosphere?
Voyager 1 was the first spacecraft to enter interstellar space by crossing the heliopause in 2012. That marked it as the first to leave the heliosphere.