Outline of space exploration
Space exploration is the use of astronomy and space technology to explore outer space.[1] Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to space exploration:
Essence of space exploration
- Main article: Space exploration
Branches of space exploration
History of space exploration
- Main articles: History of space exploration and Timeline of space exploration
Current space exploration
Space agencies
The largest-funded space agencies are:
Country | Agency | Budget |
---|---|---|
United States | NASA | $17.3 billion |
ESA (European Space Agency) | $4.260 billion | |
France | CNES (French space agency) | $2.49 billion |
Japan | JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) | $2.0 billion |
Russia | RKA (Russian Federal Space Agency) | $1.4 billion |
Germany | DLR (German Aerospace Center) | $1.242 billion |
India | ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) | $1.01 billion |
Italy | ASI (Italian Space Agency) | $978 million |
China | CNSA (Chinese National Space Administration) | $500 million |
United Kingdom | UKSA (UK Space Agency) | $414 million [2] |
Canada | CSA (Canadian Space Agency) | $321 million |
Ukraine | NSAU (National Space Agency of Ukraine) | $250–300 million |
Belgium | BELSPO (Belgian Federal Science Policy Office) | $230 million |
Spain | INTA (National Institute of Aerospace Technology) | $175 million |
Netherlands | SRON (Netherlands Institute for Space Research) | $160 million |
South Korea | KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute) | $150 million |
Brazil | AEB (Brazilian Space Agency) | $120 million |
Switzerland | SSO (Swiss Space Office) | $110 million |
Sweden | SNSB (Swedish National Space Board) | $100 million |
Argentina | CONAE (National Space Activities Commission) | $96 million |
Active space missions
- Mars Express – ESA satellite orbitting Mars
- Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (NASA)
- Mars Exploration Rover (NASA)
- MESSENGER – NASA probe to Mercury launched in 2004
- Hayabusa (JAXA) – unmanned space mission to asteroid
- New Horizons – probe to Pluto
- Rosetta – ESA mission to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
- Venus Express – ESA satellite orbiting Venus
Future of space exploration
Lunar (the Moon)
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Outer solar system
General space exploration concepts
Space exploration scholars
Leaders in space exploration
- Neil Armstrong – first man to walk on the Moon
- Yuri Gagarin – first man to orbit the Earth
- John Glenn – oldest man in orbit
Space exploration lists
See also
References
- ^ "How Space is Explored". NASA.
- ^ "UK space funding". UK Space Agency. Retrieved 2010-08-30.