Related topics: nasa
Spacecraft
hideA spacecraft is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight. On a sub-orbital spaceflight, a spacecraft enters space then returns to the Earth. For an orbital spaceflight, a spacecraft enters a closed orbit around the planetary body. Spacecraft used for human spaceflight carry people on board as crew or passengers. Spacecraft used for robotic space missions operate either autonomously or telerobotically. Robotic spacecraft that leave the vicinity of the planetary body are space probes. Robotic spacecraft that remain in orbit around the planetary body are artificial satellites. Starships, which are built for interstellar travel, are so far a theoretical concept only (aside from a handful of interstellar probes such as Pioneer 10 and 11, Voyager, and New Horizons).
Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and space tourism. Spacecraft and space travel are common themes in works of science fiction.
For more information about Spacecraft, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with spacecraft
Superconductor magnet spacecraft heat shield being developed
Nov 26, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (43) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- European space agencies and an aerospace giant are developing a new re-entry heat shield that will use superconductor magnets to generate a magnetic field strong enough to deflect the superhot ...
Scientists explain puzzling lake asymmetry on Titan
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Nov 29, 2009 |
4.4 / 5 (14) |
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Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) suggest that the eccentricity of Saturn's orbit around the sun may be responsible for the unusually uneven distribution of methane and ethane ...
Monster Waves on the Sun are Real (w/ Video)
Nov 25, 2009 |
4.9 / 5 (20) |
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Sometimes you really can believe your eyes. That's what NASA's STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory) spacecraft are telling researchers about a controversial phenomenon on the sun known as the "solar ...
WISE Snug in Its Nose Cone; Launch Set for Dec. 9
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Dec 01, 2009 |
not rated yet |
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NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer has been wrapped in the outer nose cone, or "fairing," that will protect it during its scheduled Dec. 9 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
TacSat-4 spacecraft complete and awaiting launch
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Dec 01, 2009 |
1 / 5 (1) |
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Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) engineers have completed all environmental and performance testing on the TacSat-4 COMMx payload. This completes the entire TacSat-4 spacecraft as the spacecraft bus was completed ...
NASA: Floating 'junk' no threat to space station
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Nov 28, 2009 |
4.7 / 5 (3) |
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(AP) -- NASA says a piece of old space junk that it's been tracking for a few days is no threat to the International Space Station.
Russia: no space for space tourists
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Nov 26, 2009 |
2.7 / 5 (3) |
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(AP) -- A top Russian space official says there is no space for tourists wishing to fly to the International Space Station.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbite Team Plans Uplink of Protective Files
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Nov 25, 2009 |
5 / 5 (4) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- The team operating NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter plans to uplink protective files to the spacecraft next week as one step toward resuming the orbiter's research and relay activities.
Image: Prometheus Plays Tug of War with One of Saturn's Rings
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Nov 25, 2009 |
4.4 / 5 (5) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- The diminutive moon Prometheus whips gossamer ice particles out of Saturn's F ring in this image taken by the Cassini spacecraft on Aug. 21, 2009.
