Spacecraft Illustrations

Artistic renderings of various spacecraft in orbit around Earth, showcasing technology and exploration themes against deep space backgrounds.

TESS Spacecraft, illustration

TESS Spacecraft, illustration

OSIRIS-REx Sample Return, illustration

This most recent artist's rendering shows 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 the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

This is an artist's concept depicting CloudSat in orbit around Earth.

An artist's concept of the Fleet Satellite Communication satellite in orbit with the earth in the background. Country: Unknown

Fantasy space shuttle placing in the orbit of planet Earth a communications satellite with the moon and the sun in the background. 3D illustration

Artwork of the next generation NASA spacecraft, the Orion crew exploration vehicle, approaching the International Space Station in Earth orbit. Orion will be similar in shape to the Apollo spacecraft, but larger. The conical form is best for re-entering the Earth's atmosphere. October 2006.

iss063e017123 (May 25, 2020) --- The H-II Transfer Vehicle-9 (HTV-9) from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is pictured moments before the Canadarm2 robotic arm (upper right) captured the resupply ship. Expedition 63 Commander Chris Cassidy was at the robotics controls ready to command the Canadarm2 to reach out and grapple the HTV-9 that was carrying over four tons of food, supplies and experiments to replenish the International Space Station crew.

Hypersonic Missiles over the Earth Hypersonic missiles or rockets over the apocalyptic Earth. Blue Moon in the sky. Elements of this image furnished by NASA Copyright: xZoonar.com/AlainxdexMaximyx 17721881

Hypersonic missile or rocket over the apocalyptic Earth. Blue Moon in the sky. Elements of this image furnished by NASA

Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite TESS space telescope in orbit of planet Earth with moon in background. 3D illustration

Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.. Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus

Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.. Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus

View of TIANGONG 3 - Chinese space station orbiting the planet Earth on black space with stars background. 3D Illustration. TIANGONG 3 - Chinese space station orbiting the planet Earth on black space with stars background. 3D Illustration

Artist's concept of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 5D-2 satellite in orbit, with the Earth in the background. Country: Unknown

This artist's concept shows the NASA's WISE spacecraft, in its orbit around Earth. In September of 2013, engineers will attempt to bring the mission out of hibernation to hunt for more asteroids and comets in a project called NEOWISE.

Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite TESS space telescope traveling through space in search of exo planets. 3D illustration

iss051e043291 (May 16, 2017) --- A pair of CubeSats, with the Earths limb in the background, is seen moments after being ejected from a small satellite deployer outside of the space stations Kibo lab module.

Artist's rendering of the the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft's rendezvous with the asteroid Eros.

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

In this photograph the SYNCOM IV-3, also known as LEASAT 3, satellite moves away from the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery. SYNCOM (Hughes Geosynchronous Communication Satellite) provides communication services from geosynchronous orbit, principally to the U.S. Government. The satellite was launched on April 12, 1985, aboard the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery.

the space probe Deep Impact mission the space probe Deep Impact mission. Copyright: xZoonar.com/StanislavxRishnyakx 15124818

Artist Concept of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter with Apollo mission imagery in the background.

This artist's concept of NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter features the spacecraft's main bus facing down, toward the red planet.

Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus. Elements of this image furnished by NASA. Copyright: xZoonar.com/StanislavxRishnyakx 14601096

The OASIS project seeks to study fresh water aquifers in the desert as well as ice sheets in places like Greenland. This illustration shows what a satellite with a proposed radar instrument for the mission could look like.

A satellite

NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft passes above Mars' south pole in this artist's concept illustration. The spacecraft has been orbiting Mars since October 24, 2001.

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

Soyuz spacecraft, illustration

This picture is an artist's concept of an orbiting vehicle using the Electrodynamic Tethers Propulsion System. Relatively short electrodynamic tethers can use solar power to push against a planetary magnetic field to achieve propulsion without the expenditure of propellant.

Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite TESS space telescope traveling through space in search of exo planets. 3D illustration

Satellite over the poles of planet Mars

Hypersonic missiles or rockets over the apocalyptic Earth. Blue Moon in the sky. Elements of this image furnished by NASA

In 1982, the Space Station Task Force was formed, signaling the initiation of the Space Station Freedom Program, and eventually resulting in the Marshall Space Flight Center's responsibilities for Space Station Work Package 1.

Satellite transmits a signal to the earth. 3d rendering. Elements of this image are furnished by NASA.

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

Artist's conception of the solar powered GLAST (Gamma Ray Large Area Satellite) satellite orbiting earth in 2008.

iss056e025387 (6/20/2018) - Deployment of the NanoRacks-Remove Debris Satellite from the International Space Station (ISS). NanoRacks-Remove Debris aims to demonstrate key technologies for Active Debris Removal to reduce the risks presented by space debris

Rosetta probe above and comet 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko with Philae lander on surface.

A Materials International Space Station Experiment

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

An artist's concept of what the International Space Station (ISS)Alpha will look like in its completed and fully operational state. All the elements of the Station are shown - the United States, European, Japanese, and Russian. The artist also included the Space Shuttle in the docked position. Sixteen countries are cooperating to provide a multidisciplinary laboratory, technology test bed, and observatory that will provide an unprecedented undertaking in scientific, technological, and international experimentation.

Illustration of the twin spacecraft of the NASA/German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) mission. GRACE-FO will continue tracking the evolution of Earth's water cycle by monitoring changes in the distribution of mass on Earth.

Conceptual artwork of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) seen against the Orion Nebula. The Hubble Telescope was launched in 1990 into low Earth orbit b...

Space Warfare

An artist's interpretation of the MESSENGER spacecraft at Mercury.

Parker Solar Probe approaching to Sun Parker Solar Probe approaching to sun Copyright: xZoonar.com/StanislavxRishnyakx 15124725

This image shows an artist concept of NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission.

Satellite orbiting Mars, illustration.

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

Space satellite orbiting the earth

An artist concept depicting one of NASA's twin Voyager spacecraft. Humanity's farthest and longest-lived spacecraft are celebrating 40 years in August and September 2017.

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

Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus Magellan spacecraft approaching to Venus. Copyright: xZoonar.com/StanislavxRishnyakx 15124759

S82-E-5084 (13 Feb. 1997) --- The first close-up look at the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) since 1993 was provided by STS-82 Electronic Still Camera (ESC) during rendezvous with the giant telescope. This view was taken with an Electronic Still Camera (ESC).

This artist's rendering shows NASA's Dawn spacecraft maneuvering above Ceres with its ion propulsion system. Dawn arrived into orbit at Ceres on March 6, 2015, and continues to collect data about the mysterious and fascinating world.

Artist's concept of the Dawn spacecraft entering orbit around Ceres.

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

Apollo spacecraft

NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft passes above Mars' south pole in this artist's concept illustration. The spacecraft has been orbiting Mars since October 24, 2001.

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

This is a photo of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST),in its origianl configuration, berthed in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Columbia during the STS-109 mission silhouetted against the airglow of the Earth's horizon. The telescope was captured and secured on a work stand in Columbia's payload bay using Columbia's robotic arm, where 4 of the 7-member crew performed 5 spacewalks completing system upgrades to the HST. Included in those upgrades were replacement of the solar array panels; replacement of the power control unit (PCU); replacement of the Faint Object Camera (FOC) with a new advanced camera for Surveys (ACS); and installation of the experimental cooling system for the Hubble's Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-object Spectrometer (NICMOS), which had been dormant since January 1999 when its original coolant ran out. The Marshall Space Flight Center had the responsibility for the design, development, and construction of the the HST, which is the most complex and sensitive optic

Magellan spacecraft in space

An orbital maintenance platform fires it liquid-propellant rocket thrusters.

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter passes above a portion of the planet called Nilosyrtis Mensae in this artist's concept illustration.

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

ISS015-E-22410 (13 Aug. 2007) --- Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, a Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) on the exterior of the station is featured in this image photographed by a crewmember during the STS-118 mission's second planned session of extravehicular activity (EVA). MISSE collects information on how different materials weather in the environment of space.

Satellite, Earth, And Moon

Voyager spacecraft at Jupiter, artwork. Two Voyager spacecraft (Voyager 1 and Voyager 2) were launched in 1977. This timing took advantage of a rare a...

iss056e195856 (Sept. 27, 2018) --- The H-II Transfer Vehicle-7 (HTV-7) from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is pictured being remotely guided with the Canadarm2 towards its attachment point on the International Space Station's Harmony module. The HTV-7 took a four and a half day trip to the space station after launching Sept. 22, 2018, from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. The HTV-7 was captured by the Canadarm2 operated by Expedition 56 Commander Drew Feustel as Flight Engineer Serena Auñón-Chancellor backed him up inside the cupola.

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

A Phobos mission rocket ignites its chemical thrusters to propel it away from the Earth into a large solar orbit that will intercept Mars in approximately 7 months

Artist's concept of the Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2 spacecraft in space

Looking for Ice on the Moon

Artist's concept of the TESS satellite (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite).

ISS orbiting the earth

Artist Fornalski Pioneer Spacecraft Composite 'The Pioneer Family' Probes 6-9, 10, 11 and Venus Orbiter and Multiprobe or Bus (12-13)

Hypersonic Missile over the Earth Hypersonic missile or rocket over the apocalyptic Earth. A comet runs in the space. Elements of this image furnished by NASA Copyright: xZoonar.com/AlainxdexMaximyx 11901073

View of TIANGONG 3 - Chinese space station orbiting the planet Earth on black space with stars background. 3D Illustration. TIANGONG 3 - Chinese space station orbiting the planet Earth on black space with stars background. 3D Illustration

S88-E-5161 (12-14-98) --- Before beginning their pre-sleep period on their next to last day in space, the STS-88 astronauts deployed a small 590-pound satellite called SAC-A for the Argentinean National Committee of Space Activities. Equipped with five technology experiments, including one to track the movement of whales off the coast of Argentina, SAC-A was ejected from a canister in Endeavour's cargo bay at 10:31 p.m. Central time as the shuttle few over the northern Indian Ocean. The satellite is expected to remain in orbit from five to nine months sending back data to Argentine researchers back on Earth. The photo was taken with an electronic still camera (ESC) at 04:35:48 GMT, Dec. 14.

An artist's concept of various communications satellites in orbit. Country: Unknown

At the Edge of 'Endurance'

NASA is sending a mobile robot to the south pole of the Moon to get a close-up view of the location and concentration of water ice in the region and for the first time ever, actually sample the water ice at the same pole where the first woman and next man will land in 2024 under the Artemis program. About the size of a golf cart, the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER, will roam several miles, using its four science instruments including a 1-meter drill to sample various soil environments. Planned for delivery in December 2022, VIPER will collect about 100 days of data that will be used to inform development of the first global water resource maps of the Moon.

Artist's concept of U.S.-European Jason-3 Ocean Altimetry Satellite over the Amazon

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

This is an artist's rendering of the spacecraft FINESSE orbiting above Earth. Proposed for launch in 2016 as part of NASA's Explorers Program, FINESSE would take the first 'family portrait' of extrasolar planets.

Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft, illustration

Satellite orbiting the Earth, computer illustration.

Painting of Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, the first international docking of the US's Apollo capsule and the USSR's Soyuz spacecraft in space. Using a cooperatively developed docking tunnel the mission achieved space rendezvous, docking, and crew transfer. July 17-19, 1975.

3d illustration of generic satellite isolated over white background

iss063e110863 (Oct. 18, 2020) --- Two spacecraft are pictured docked to the International Space Station as the complex flew into an orbital sunset above the Tasman Sea in between Australia and New Zealand. At left, with its prominent cymbal-shaped UltraFlex solar arrays is the Northrop Grumman's Cygnus resupply ship. To the right, is the Soyuz MS-17 crew ship that docked to the station on Oct. 14 carrying the Expedition 64 crew.

A crop of more than 100 planets, discovered by NASA's Kepler Space Telescope, includes four in Earth's size-range orbiting a single dwarf star.

Space junk removal, illustration

This artist's illustration shows NASA's InSight lander on the surface of Mars, with its solar arrays deployed.

Space Junk Illustration of a satellite trash can in space Copyright: xZoonar.com/PaulxFleetx 2306960

Artist's Conception of Fully Integrated Environmental Monitoring System

This illustration, updated in December 2020, depicts NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft. With an internal global ocean twice the size of Earth's oceans combined, Jupiter's moon Europa may have the potential to harbor life. The Europa Clipper orbiter will swoop around Jupiter on an elliptical path, dipping close to the moon on each flyby to collect data. The mission will gather measurements of the internal ocean, map the surface geology and composition, and hunt for plumes of water vapor that may be venting from the icy crust. Understanding Europa's habitability will help scientists better understand how life developed on Earth and the potential for finding life beyond our planet. Europa Clipper is aiming for a launch readiness date of 2024.

This artist's concept from August 2015 depicts NASA's InSight Mars lander fully deployed for studying the deep interior of Mars. The mission will launch during the period March 4 to March 30, 2016, and land on Mars Sept. 28, 2016.

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