INFOGRAPHIC OF THE WEEK: ALL OUR SPACE MISSIONS
by Hazed
Sputnik was sent into orbit by the Soviet Union in 1957, launching the space era. Since then, approximately 160 unmanned space probes have been sent into space. They’ve visited the planets, the asteroids, comets, the sun, our moon and some are even heading into interplanetary space.
Right now there are 25 that are still in operation: either en route to their target, or conducting experiments. They’re all still able to communicate with Earth to send back their data. From Voyager 1 and 2, the oldest, right up to China’s Jade Rabbit on the moon, this infographic shows you where they all are right now. Closest to the sun is the Messenger, orbiting Mercury: furthest away is Voyager 1, which has now officially left the Solar System.
It’s an impressive catalogue of our space achievements.