How Do People Study The Solar System?

Space Probes
When trips into space are too far or too dangerous, scientists will send a space probe instead of a crewed mission.

A space probe (Fr. une sonde spatiale) is an instrument used to explore places and objects in space.

Space probes can:

• Carry cameras, instruments, and other tools
• Perform fly-by missions
• Land on planets and moons
• Collect samples, test for water, and take pictures

Famous space probes:

• Galileo - sent to Jupiter in 1989, arrived in 1995
• Sojourner - sent to Mars in 1997, arrived in 1997
• Cassini-Huygens - sent to Saturn in 1997, arrived in 2004
• New Horizons - sent to Pluto in 2006, is scheduled to arrive in 2015