Spacecraft and Satellites

3D renderings of various spacecraft, including GPS satellites, the International Space Station, and Earth resources satellites, highlighting advanced technology in orbit.

Deep Impact Spacecraft

3d render of GPS satelite in orbit around the Earth

3D rendering of the International Space Station orbiting the Earth

Deep Impact Spacecraft

Satellite orbiting Earth, illustration.

CONCEPT FOR COMMERCIAL EARTH RESOURCES SATELLITE SATELLITES COMMUNICATION ORBIT ORBITING HI-TECH TECHNOLOGY

Artist's rendering of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)-2, one of five new NASA Earth science missions set to launch in 2014, and one of three managed by JPL.

Space satellite orbiting the earth. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

Illustration of a satellite orbiting Earth with a detailed view of its solar panels and communication dish against the backdrop of space. boer00065 Copyright: xConnectxImagesx ,property released

Space telescope, conceptual illustration

International Space Station (ISS), computer artwork.

Apollo 11 Moon landing, illustration

A manned Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft docked with an extended stay module.

Sending the Rosetta probe to the surface of comet Wirtanen.

Artist's rendering of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO,) above the moon.

In the late 1970s, NASA, the Marshall Space Flight Center, and its contractors began focusing on designs for Shuttle-tended space platforms capable of extended periods in space and utilizing a variety of temporarily emplaced payloads. As a result, McDornell Douglas studied the Science and Applications Space Platform (SASP). The emphasis was placed on payloads that did not require a crewman's presence during normal operations. Most of the payloads would occupy one or more Spacelab-like pallets. This artist concept depicts the SASP.

This is an artist's depiction of NASA's Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) observatory as it approaches lunar orbit.

This illustration, updated as of March 2021, depicts NASA's Psyche spacecraft. Set to launch in August 2022, the Psyche mission will explore a metal-rich asteroid of the same name that lies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The spacecraft will arrive in early 2026 and orbit the asteroid for nearly two years to investigate its composition. Scientists think that Psyche, unlike most other asteroids that are rocky or icy bodies, is made up of mostly iron and nickel similar to Earth's core. The Psyche team will use a magnetometer to measure the asteroid's magnetic field. A multispectral imager will capture images of the surface, as well as data about Psyche's composition and topography. Spectrometers will analyze the neutrons and gamma rays coming from the surface to reveal the elements that make up the asteroid. Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, California, built the main body of the spacecraft, called the Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) Chassis. Maxar also will deliver

The Aura spacecraft is NASA's atmospheric chemistry mission that is monitoring the Earth's protective atmosphere.

51D-44-046 (17 April 1985) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery's Remote Manipulator System (RMS) arm and two specially designed extensions move toward the troubled Syncom-IV (LEASAT) communications satellite during a station keeping mode of the two spacecraft in Earth orbit. Inside the Shuttle's cabin, astronaut Rhea Seddon, 51D mission specialist, controlled the Canadian-built arm in an attempt to move an external lever on the satellite. Crewmembers learned of the satellite's problems shortly after it was deployed from the cargo bay on April 13, 1985. The arm achieved physical contact with the lever as planned. However, the satellite did not respond to the contact as hoped. A 70mm handheld Hassellblad camera, aimed through Discovery's windows, recorded this frame -- one of the first to be released to news media following return of the seven-member crew on April 17, 1985.

NASA's MESSENGER prepares to perform the Mercury orbit insertion burn in this animated artist's concept.

Space satellite orbiting the earth. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

Space satellite orbiting the earth. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

Solar flare hitting satellite, computer artwork.

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter passes over the planet's south polar region in this artist's concept illustration.

An artist's depiction of the twin spacecraft (Ebb and Flow) that comprise NASA's GRAIL mission. As 'Ebb and Flow' fly over areas of greater and lesser gravity surface features can influence the distance between the two spacecraft.

Space, earth and satellite in orbit for communication, surveillance and global research. Aerospace, engineering and spacecraft for data transmission, tracking and navigation for planet observation.

Artist's impression of the New Horizons space probe. Dated 2015

Aura satellite orbiting Earth and rising Sun.

Artist's impression of NASA's MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft as it leaves Earth, following its Aug. 3, 2004 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. aboard a Delta II rocket.

From left to right, artist's concepts of the Spitzer, Planck and Kepler space telescopes. NASA extended Spitzer and Kepler for two additional years; and the U.S. portion of Planck, a European Space Agency mission, for one year.

Soyuz spacecraft, illustration

Global Surveyor orbiting Mars planet. This image elements furnished by NASA. Global Surveyor orbiting Mars planet

An artist's rendering of the twin Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft flying over Mars with Earth in the distance. The MarCOs will be the first CubeSats -- a kind of modular, mini-satellite -- flown in deep space. They're designed to fly along behind NASA's InSight lander on its cruise to Mars. If they make the journey, they will test a relay of data about InSight's entry, descent and landing back to Earth. Though InSight's mission will not depend on the success of the MarCOs, they will be a test of how CubeSats can be used in deep space.

Space elevator, artwork

NASA's two MarCO CubeSats will be flying past Mars in September 2016 just as NASA's next Mars lander, InSight, is descending through the Martian atmosphere and landing on the surface.

Space satellite orbiting the earth on a background star sun. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

Digital 3D Illustration of a Satellite

Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus Copyright: xZoonar.com/StanislavxRishnyakx 14238666

Looking for Ice on the Moon

Robotic probe in deep space, computer illustration.

Space satellite orbiting the earth. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

Space Station is orbiting around the Earth

Apollo on moon surface, saturn V in the background with earth - Elements of this image furnished by NASA. Apollo program - 3D render

Satellite orbiting around Mars, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

This is an artist's concept of an orbiting space vehicle in the Jovian system using an electrodynamic tether propellantless propulsion system. Electrodynamic tethers offer the potential to greatly extend and enhance future scientific missions to Jupiter and the Jovian system. Like Earth, Jupiter posses a strong magnetic field and a significant magnetosphere. This may make it feasible to operate electrodynamic tethers for propulsion and power generation.

This is an artist's concept of NASA's NuSTAR spacecraft which has a 10-meter mast that deploys after launch to separate the optics modules (right) from the detectors in the focal plane (left).

Spaceships in space spaceships in space

Artist's rendering of NASA's Galileo spacecraft flying past Jupiter's moon Io. Galileo made multiple close approaches to the volcanically active moon during its time at Jupiter.

JSC2006-E-25655 (October 2006) --- Computer-generated scene showing a low-angle wide view (starboard-aft) of the International Space Station, after assembly work is completed.

ISS and Earth, illustration

Spaceship orbiting alien planet, illustration

Artist concept of NASA's STEREO-A Spacecraft Observing a very active Sun.

NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission will produce high-resolution global maps of soil moisture to track water availability around our planet and guide policy decisions.

Generations spaceship in space generations spaceship in space

Hypersonic missile or rocket over the apocalyptic Earth. A comet runs in the space. Elements of this image furnished by NASA

JSC2006-E-25656 (October 2006) --- Computer-generated scene showing a low-angle wide view (port-aft) of the International Space Station, after assembly work is completed.

NASA's Mariner 2 was the world's first successful interplanetary spacecraft. Launched August 27, 1962, on an Atlas-Agena rocket, Mariner 2 passed within about 34,000 kilometers (21,000 miles) of Venus.

Artist's concept of the OSIRIS-REx space probe.

Celestial art, Hubble telescope with stars and galaxies in outer space showing the beauty of space exploration. Textures furnished by NASA, 3d Render, 3d Illustration

Perseverance Rover s Cruise Stage Separation. Satellitenmodul bringt Fracht zum roten Planeten Mars *** Perseverance Rover S Cruise Stage Separation Satellite module brings Freight to Red Planets Mars 1102801975

This artist's concept shows ESA's LISA Pathfinder spacecraft, which launched on Dec. 3, 2015, from Kourou, French Guiana, will help pave the way for a mission to detect gravitational waves.

Solar sail, illustration

NASA's Aqua satellite carries six state-of-the-art instruments in a near-polar low-Earth orbit. Aqua is seen in this artist's concept orbiting Earth.

Artist's concept of the Global Positioning System Satellite (Navigation System Using Timing and Ranging Satellite). Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aqua satellite upon the earth to study it in the space

Artist concept shows the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) placed in orbit above the Earth's distorting layer of atmosphere by Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, during mission STS-31. Tracking and data relay satellite (TDRS) is visible in the background and ground station is visible below on the Earth's surface. HST is the first of the great observatories to go into service and one of NASA's highest priority scientific spacecraft. Capable of observing in both visible and ultraviolet wavelengths, HST has been termed the most important scientific instrument ever designed for use on orbit. It will literally be able to look back in time, observing the universe as it existed early in its lifetime and providing information on how matter has evolved over the eons. The largest scientific payload ever built, the 12 1/2-ton, 43-foot HST was developed by Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, spacecraft prime contractor, and Perkin-Elmer Corporation, prime contractor for the optical assembly. The Europ

Space exploration isometric composition with view of outer space planets stars and artificial satellite observatory vehicle vector illustration

This artist's concept shows NASA's Dawn spacecraft heading toward the dwarf planet Ceres. When Dawn arrives, it will be the first spacecraft to go into orbit around two destinations in our solar system beyond Earth.

1970's Stanford University study depicting a Bernal sphere space colony.

The BioSentinel spacecraft enters a heliocentric orbit. BioSentinel will detect and measure the impact of space radiation on living organisms over long durations beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO).

. SWOT Satellite With Solar Arrays in Full View (Illustration). This illustration depicts the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite with solar arrays fully deployed. Arranged on opposite sides of the spacecraft bus, the two arrays will remain pointed at the Sun via small motors to provide 8 kilowatts of power; the spacecraft has a 1.5-kilowatt total power demand. The arrays measure 48.8 feet (14.9 meters) in length with an area of 335 square feet (31 square meters). SWOT will make global surveys of the water on Earth's surface. By measuring its height, researchers can track the volume and location of the finite resource around the world. The data will help with monitoring changes in floodplains and wetlands, measure how much fresh water flows into and out of lakes and rivers and back to the ocean, and track regional shifts in sea level.

This artist's concept shows the test vehicle for NASA's Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD), designed to test landing technologies for future Mars missions.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)

iss061e028279 (Nov. 4, 2019) --- The U.S. Cygnus space freighter approaches the International Space Station carrying over four tons of science experiments, crew supplies and station hardware. NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, with fellow Flight Engineer Christina Koch as her back up, would go on to command the Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture the 12th resupply ship from Northrop Grumman.

The image on the left is an artist rendering of Montana State University's Explorer 1 CubeSat; at right is a CubeSat created by the University of Michigan designated the Michigan Mulitpurpose Mini-satellite, or M-Cubed.

Dawn robotic spacecraft orbiting Ceres and Vesta, members of the asteroid belt, to study them in space.

The Lucy spacecraft encounters binary asteroids Patroclus and Menoetius.

ISS041-E-067002 (7 Oct. 2014) --- NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Expedition 41 flight engineer, participates in a session of extravehicular activity (EVA) as work continues on the International Space Station. During the six-hour, 13-minute spacewalk, Wiseman and European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst (out of frame), flight engineer, worked outside the space station's Quest airlock relocating a failed cooling pump to external stowage and installing gear that provides back up power to external robotics equipment.

An artist's concept of an advanced satellite in orbit. Country: Unknown

Artist's concept of one of the twin Voyager spacecraft.

Parker Solar Probe approaching to Sun Parker Solar Probe approaching to sun. Elements of this image furnished by NASA Copyright: xZoonar.com/StanislavxRishnyakx 16000713

Apollo Command and Service Module, illustration

Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus. Elements of this image furnished by NASA. Copyright: xZoonar.com/StanislavxRishnyakx 14944488

Space satellite orbiting the earth. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

Automatic interplanetary station. Soviet artist impression 1980

Artist's concept of a satellite orbiting earth spacebus in orbit. Country: Unknown

Shenzhou manned space vessel in the direction of coupling to the TIANHE core module in TIANGONG 3 - Chinese space station with the planet Earth below on black space with stars background. 3D Illustration. Shenzhou manned space vessel in the direction of coupling to the TIANGONG 3 - Chinese space station with the planet Earth below on black space with stars background. 3D Illustration

New Horizons spacecraft at Pluto, artwork. New Horizons launched from Earth on 19 January 2006 and will arrive at Pluto in July 2015. It will spend 15...

Comunication Satellite In Outer Space

A Manned Maneuvering Vehicle (MMV) piloted by a single astronaut undocks from the main vessel and prepares to descend to the surface of a small asteroid.

ISS038-E-044994 (11 Feb. 2014) --- The Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD), in the grasp of the Kibo laboratory robotic arm, is photographed by an Expedition 38 crew member on the International Space Station prior to the deployment of a set of NanoRacks CubeSats. The CubeSats program contains a variety of experiments such as Earth observations and advanced electronics testing.

Space vehicle on planet surface, illustration.

American Apollo astronauts on the lunar surface.

An artist's impression of Ulysses spacecraft at Jupiter. Ulysses used Jupiter's powerful gravity to hurl it out of the Plane of the Ecliptic (where most planets and satellites orbit) so it could study the polar regions of the Sun.

Spacecraft launch into space. Cosmos art. Elements of this image furnished by NASA

This artist's concept of NASA's Voyager spacecraft with its antennapointing to Earth.

This artist's concept depicts the Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) on NASA's MAVEN spacecraft scanning the upper atmosphere of Mars. IUVS uses limb scans to map the chemical makeup and vertical structure across Mars' upper atmosphere.

NEO Surveyor in an Infrared Starfield Filled With Asteroids (Illustration). In this illustration showing NEO Surveyor, NASA's next-generation near-Earth object hunter, the spacecraft floats in an infrared starfield containing stars, star clusters, gas, and dust. More than 100 asteroids can be seen as red dots, with some of them visible in a track that shows how they were captured at different times as they marched across the sky. This starfield was observed by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, during its primary all-sky survey in March 2010 before it was put into hibernation a year later. In December 2013, the space telescope was reactivated to search for more asteroids as the NEOWISE mission. NASA's NEO Surveyor will build upon the successes of NEOWISE as the first space mission built specifically to find large numbers of hazardous asteroids and comets. The space telescope will launch to a region of gravitational stability between the Earth and the Sun called the L1

Giant asteroid Satellite with large asteroid looming up behind it Copyright: xZoonar.com/PaulxFleetx 5028208

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