Skip to content

Welcome to Universum.lu

Universum · The astronomy portal

UNIVERSUMSTEVE CIMOLINO · LES VIEUX LIVRES

Menu

History · Universum

Space probes

The satellite catalogue →

From the Moon to the edge of the Solar System: the robots that led the way.

283 documented missions and attempts1958 → 2025

Explore the catalogue Missions in pictures

Voyager — Artist’s concept — Artist’s concept · NASA/JPL-Caltech · Image source

What this page covers

This register includes robotic lunar and planetary missions from the NASA/NSSDC chronology, supplemented with solar probes, L1 missions and confirmed recent launches. Failed launch attempts are included. Crewed flights, space telescopes, Earth satellites and unlaunched projects are excluded. One entry may group several vehicles; rovers, landers and mission extensions are generally listed with their parent mission. This is therefore not a count of every individual spacecraft.

A documented catalogue, not a real-time tracker: an initial objective does not mean the destination was reached or the mission still operates. Not every gravity-assist flyby is indexed. Coverage depends on available sources and is not an exhaustive register of every payload or prototype. Dates refer to launch from Earth, in UTC when available.

Sources checked on 23 October 2026

Missions in pictures

13 credited images

Photographs, image mosaics and artist’s concepts: each caption explains what you are looking at.

Voyager — Artist’s concept — Artist’s concept
Voyager
NASA/JPL-Caltech · Image source
View record →

Cassini — Photograph — Photograph
Cassini
NASA/JPL · Image source
View record →

Curiosity — Photographic mosaic — Photographic mosaic
Curiosity
NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS · Image source
View record →

Perseverance & Ingenuity — Photographic mosaic — Photographic mosaic
Perseverance & Ingenuity
NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS · Image source
View record →

Mariner 2 — Artist’s concept — Artist’s concept
Mariner 2
NASA/JPL · Image source
View record →

Pioneer 10 — Photograph — Photograph
Pioneer 10
NASA/Ames Research Center · Image source
View record →

Juno — Artist’s concept — Artist’s concept
Juno
NASA/JPL-Caltech · Image source
View record →

MESSENGER — Artist’s concept — Artist’s concept
MESSENGER
NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington · Image source
View record →

Parker Solar Probe — Photograph — Photograph
Parker Solar Probe
NASA/Kim Shiflett · Image source
View record →

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter — Artist’s concept — Artist’s concept
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
NASA/GSFC · Image source
View record →

Viking — Photograph of a model — Photograph of a model
Viking
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona · Image source
View record →

Pluto photographed by New Horizons — Image taken by the probe — Image taken by the probe
Pluto photographed by New Horizons
NASA/APL/SwRI · Image source
View record →

OSIRIS-REx — Photograph — Photograph
OSIRIS-REx
NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis · Image source
View record →

The exploration register

283 documented missions and attempts

1958Moon

Pioneer 0

Launch / attempt: 1958-08-17
Country / organisation: United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1958Moon

Luna 1958A

Launch / attempt: 1958-09-23
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Impact

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1958Moon

Pioneer 1

Launch / attempt: 1958-10-11
Country / organisation: United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1958Moon

Luna 1958B

Launch / attempt: 1958-10-12
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Impact

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1958Moon

Pioneer 2

Launch / attempt: 1958-11-08
Country / organisation: United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1958Moon

Luna 1958C

Launch / attempt: 1958-12-04
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Impact

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1958Moon

Pioneer 3

Launch / attempt: 1958-12-06
Country / organisation: United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1959Moon

Luna 1

Launch / attempt: 1959-01-02
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Impact · Flyby

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1959Moon

Pioneer 4

Launch / attempt: 1959-03-03
Country / organisation: United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1959Moon

Luna 1959A

Launch / attempt: 1959-06-16
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Impact

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1959Moon

Luna 2

Launch / attempt: 1959-09-12
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Impact

Mission reference ↗#

1959Moon

Luna 3

Launch / attempt: 1959-10-04
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

In October 1959, Luna 3 transmitted the first images of the Moon’s far side. Despite their low resolution, they revealed a hemisphere very different from the one visible from Earth.

Mission reference ↗#

1959Moon

Pioneer P-3

Launch / attempt: 1959-11-26
Country / organisation: United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1960Sun and interplanetary space

Pioneer 5

Launch / attempt: 1960-03-11
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1960Moon

Luna 1960A

Launch / attempt: 1960-04-15
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1960Moon

Luna 1960B

Launch / attempt: 1960-04-18
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1960Moon

Pioneer P-30

Launch / attempt: 1960-09-25
Country / organisation: United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1960Mars and Phobos

Mars 1960A

Launch / attempt: 1960-10-10
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1960Mars and Phobos

Mars 1960B

Launch / attempt: 1960-10-14
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1960Moon

Pioneer P-31

Launch / attempt: 1960-12-15
Country / organisation: United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1961Venus

Sputnik 7

Launch / attempt: 1961-02-04
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Impact

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1961Venus

Venera 1

Launch / attempt: 1961-02-12
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Contact lost according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1961Moon

Ranger 1

Launch / attempt: 1961-08-23
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Technology demonstration

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1961Moon

Ranger 2

Launch / attempt: 1961-11-18
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Technology demonstration

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1962Moon

Ranger 3

Launch / attempt: 1962-01-26
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Impact

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1962Moon

Ranger 4

Launch / attempt: 1962-04-23
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Impact

Mission reference ↗#

1962Venus

Mariner 1

Launch / attempt: 1962-07-22
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1962Venus

Sputnik 19

Launch / attempt: 1962-08-25
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1962Venus

Mariner 2

Launch / attempt: 1962-08-27
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

In December 1962, Mariner 2 completed the first successful scientific flyby of another planet. Its measurements of Venus confirmed an extremely hot world beneath a thick cloud cover.

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

1962Venus

Sputnik 20

Launch / attempt: 1962-09-01
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1962Venus

Sputnik 21

Launch / attempt: 1962-09-12
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1962Moon

Ranger 5

Launch / attempt: 1962-10-18
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Impact

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1962Mars and Phobos

Sputnik 22

Launch / attempt: 1962-10-24
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1962Mars and Phobos

Mars 1

Launch / attempt: 1962-11-01
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Contact lost according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1962Mars and Phobos

Sputnik 24

Launch / attempt: 1962-11-04
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1963Moon

Sputnik 25

Launch / attempt: 1963-01-04
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1963Moon

Luna 1963B

Launch / attempt: 1963-02-02
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1963Moon

Luna 4

Launch / attempt: 1963-04-02
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1963Venus

Cosmos 21

Launch / attempt: 1963-11-11
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Technology demonstration

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Moon

Ranger 6

Launch / attempt: 1964-01-30
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Impact

Cameras failed.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Venus

Venera 1964A

Launch / attempt: 1964-02-19
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Venus

Venera 1964B

Launch / attempt: 1964-03-01
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Moon

Luna 1964A

Launch / attempt: 1964-03-21
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Venus

Cosmos 27

Launch / attempt: 1964-03-27
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Venus

Zond 1

Launch / attempt: 1964-04-02
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Contact lost according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Moon

Luna 1964B

Launch / attempt: 1964-04-20
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Moon

Zond 1964A

Launch / attempt: 1964-06-04
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Moon

Ranger 7

Launch / attempt: 1964-07-28
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Impact

Mission reference ↗#

1964Mars and Phobos

Mariner 3

Launch / attempt: 1964-11-05
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Mars and Phobos

Mariner 4

Launch / attempt: 1964-11-28
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

The 1965 Mars flyby provided the first close-up photographs of another planet. The observed craters profoundly changed prevailing ideas about the Red Planet.

Mission reference ↗#

1964Mars and Phobos

Zond 2

Launch / attempt: 1964-11-30
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Contact lost according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Moon

Ranger 8

Launch / attempt: 1965-02-17
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Impact

Mission reference ↗#

1965Moon

Cosmos 60

Launch / attempt: 1965-03-12
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Moon

Ranger 9

Launch / attempt: 1965-03-21
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Impact

Mission reference ↗#

1965Moon

Luna 1965A

Launch / attempt: 1965-04-10
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Moon

Luna 5

Launch / attempt: 1965-05-09
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Impact

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Moon

Luna 6

Launch / attempt: 1965-06-08
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Moon

Zond 3

Launch / attempt: 1965-07-18
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1965Moon

Luna 7

Launch / attempt: 1965-10-04
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Impact

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Venus

Venera 2

Launch / attempt: 1965-11-12
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Contact lost according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Venus

Venera 3

Launch / attempt: 1965-11-16
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Contact lost according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Venus

Cosmos 96

Launch / attempt: 1965-11-23
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Venus

Venera 1965A

Launch / attempt: 1965-11-23
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Moon

Luna 8

Launch / attempt: 1965-12-03
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Impact

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1965Sun and interplanetary space

Pioneer 6

Launch / attempt: 1965-12-16
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Luna 9

Launch / attempt: 1966-01-31
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

On 3 February 1966, Luna 9 achieved the first soft landing on the Moon. Its panoramas showed ground capable of supporting a spacecraft, helping prepare subsequent surface exploration.

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Cosmos 111

Launch / attempt: 1966-03-01
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Luna 10

Launch / attempt: 1966-03-31
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Luna 1966A

Launch / attempt: 1966-04-30
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Surveyor 1

Launch / attempt: 1966-05-30
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Explorer 33

Launch / attempt: 1966-07-01
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Lunar Orbiter 1

Launch / attempt: 1966-08-10
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1966Sun and interplanetary space

Pioneer 7

Launch / attempt: 1966-08-17
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Luna 11

Launch / attempt: 1966-08-24
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Surveyor 2

Launch / attempt: 1966-09-20
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Luna 12

Launch / attempt: 1966-10-22
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Lunar Orbiter 2

Launch / attempt: 1966-11-06
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1966Moon

Luna 13

Launch / attempt: 1966-12-21
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

1967Moon

Lunar Orbiter 3

Launch / attempt: 1967-02-04
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1967Moon

Surveyor 3

Launch / attempt: 1967-04-17
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

1967Moon

Lunar Orbiter 4

Launch / attempt: 1967-05-08
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1967Venus

Venera 4

Launch / attempt: 1967-06-12
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Atmospheric investigation

Mission reference ↗#

1967Venus

Mariner 5

Launch / attempt: 1967-06-14
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1967Venus

Cosmos 167

Launch / attempt: 1967-06-17
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Atmospheric investigation

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1967Moon

Surveyor 4

Launch / attempt: 1967-07-14
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1967Moon

Explorer 35 (IMP-E)

Launch / attempt: 1967-07-19
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1967Moon

Lunar Orbiter 5

Launch / attempt: 1967-08-01
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1967Moon

Surveyor 5

Launch / attempt: 1967-09-08
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

1967Moon

Zond 1967A

Launch / attempt: 1967-09-28
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Technology demonstration

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1967Moon

Surveyor 6

Launch / attempt: 1967-11-07
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

1967Moon

Zond 1967B

Launch / attempt: 1967-11-22
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Technology demonstration

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1967Sun and interplanetary space

Pioneer 8

Launch / attempt: 1967-12-13
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1968Moon

Surveyor 7

Launch / attempt: 1968-01-07
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

1968Moon

Luna 1968A

Launch / attempt: 1968-02-07
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1968Moon

Zond 4

Launch / attempt: 1968-03-02
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Technology demonstration

Mission reference ↗#

1968Moon

Luna 14

Launch / attempt: 1968-04-07
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1968Moon

Zond 1968A

Launch / attempt: 1968-04-23
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Technology demonstration

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1968Moon

Zond 5

Launch / attempt: 1968-09-15
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1968Sun and interplanetary space

Pioneer 9

Launch / attempt: 1968-11-08
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1968Moon

Zond 6

Launch / attempt: 1968-11-10
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1969Venus

Venera 5

Launch / attempt: 1969-01-05
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Atmospheric investigation

Mission reference ↗#

1969Venus

Venera 6

Launch / attempt: 1969-01-10
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Atmospheric investigation

Mission reference ↗#

1969Moon

Zond 1969A

Launch / attempt: 1969-01-20
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Moon

Luna 1969A

Launch / attempt: 1969-02-19
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Rover exploration

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Moon

Zond L1S-1

Launch / attempt: 1969-02-21
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Mars and Phobos

Mariner 6

Launch / attempt: 1969-02-25
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1969Mars and Phobos

Mariner 7

Launch / attempt: 1969-03-27
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1969Mars and Phobos

Mars 1969A

Launch / attempt: 1969-03-27
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Mars and Phobos

Mars 1969B

Launch / attempt: 1969-04-02
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Moon

Luna 1969B

Launch / attempt: 1969-04-15
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Moon

Luna 1969C

Launch / attempt: 1969-06-14
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Moon

Zond L1S-2

Launch / attempt: 1969-07-03
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Moon

Luna 15

Launch / attempt: 1969-07-13
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Moon

Zond 7

Launch / attempt: 1969-08-07
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1969Sun and interplanetary space

Pioneer E

Launch / attempt: 1969-08-27
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Moon

Cosmos 300

Launch / attempt: 1969-09-23
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1969Moon

Cosmos 305

Launch / attempt: 1969-10-22
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1970Moon

Luna 1970A

Launch / attempt: 1970-02-06
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1970Moon

Luna 1970B

Launch / attempt: 1970-02-19
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1970Venus

Venera 7

Launch / attempt: 1970-08-17
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

In December 1970, Venera 7 transmitted measurements from Venus’s surface, a first for another planet. The mission demonstrated that a spacecraft could survive there long enough to communicate.

Mission reference ↗#

1970Venus

Cosmos 359

Launch / attempt: 1970-08-22
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Atmospheric investigation

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1970Moon

Luna 16

Launch / attempt: 1970-09-12
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

In September 1970, Luna 16 completed the first robotic return of lunar samples. About 101 grams of soil from the Sea of Fertility were brought to Earth without a crew.

Mission reference ↗#

1970Moon

Zond 8

Launch / attempt: 1970-10-20
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1970Moon

Luna 17/Lunokhod 1

Launch / attempt: 1970-11-10
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Rover exploration

Associated vehicles / other names : Luna 17 Lunokhod 1

Mission reference ↗#

1971Mars and Phobos

Mariner 8

Launch / attempt: 1971-05-09
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1971Mars and Phobos

Cosmos 419

Launch / attempt: 1971-05-10
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1971Mars and Phobos

Mars 2

Launch / attempt: 1971-05-19
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1971Mars and Phobos

Mars 3

Launch / attempt: 1971-05-28
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1971Mars and Phobos

Mariner 9

Launch / attempt: 1971-05-30
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1971Moon

Luna 18

Launch / attempt: 1971-09-02
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1971Moon

Luna 19

Launch / attempt: 1971-09-28
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1972Moon

Luna 20

Launch / attempt: 1972-02-14
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

Mission reference ↗#

1972Jupiter and its moons

Pioneer 10

Launch / attempt: 1972-03-03
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

1972Venus

Venera 8

Launch / attempt: 1972-03-27
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Atmospheric investigation

Mission reference ↗#

1972Venus

Cosmos 482

Launch / attempt: 1972-03-31
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Atmospheric investigation

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1972Moon

Soyuz L3

Launch / attempt: 1972-11-23
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Launch failure.

Mission reference ↗#

1973Moon

Luna 21/Lunokhod 2

Launch / attempt: 1973-01-08
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Rover exploration

Associated vehicles / other names : Luna 21 Lunokhod 2

Mission reference ↗#

1973Jupiter and its moons · Saturn and Titan

Pioneer 11

Launch / attempt: 1973-04-05
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1973Moon

Explorer 49 (RAE-B)

Launch / attempt: 1973-06-10
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1973Mars and Phobos

Mars 4

Launch / attempt: 1973-07-21
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby · Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1973Mars and Phobos

Mars 5

Launch / attempt: 1973-07-25
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1973Mars and Phobos

Mars 6

Launch / attempt: 1973-08-05
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing

Contact lost according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1973Mars and Phobos

Mars 7

Launch / attempt: 1973-08-09
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Flyby

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1973Venus · Mercury

Mariner 10

Launch / attempt: 1973-11-03
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1974Moon

Luna 22

Launch / attempt: 1974-05-29
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1974Moon

Luna 23

Launch / attempt: 1974-10-28
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1974Sun and interplanetary space

Helios 1

Launch / attempt: 1974-12-10
Country / organisation: DFVLR / NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Measure solar wind, magnetic fields and dust between Earth and the Sun.

Mission reference ↗#

1975Venus

Venera 9

Launch / attempt: 1975-06-08
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

On 22 October 1975, Venera 9’s lander photographed the surface of Venus. Its panorama revealed angular, partly buried rocks, providing an early direct view of this extreme environment.

Mission reference ↗#

1975Venus

Venera 10

Launch / attempt: 1975-06-14
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1975Mars and Phobos

Viking 1

Launch / attempt: 1975-08-20
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

After landing on Mars in July 1976, Viking 1 transmitted panoramas and analysed the soil. Its biological experiments revealed complex chemistry without providing clear evidence of life.

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

1975Mars and Phobos

Viking 2

Launch / attempt: 1975-09-09
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1975Moon

Luna 1975A

Launch / attempt: 1975-10-16
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology. Historical objective uncertain in the source.

Mission reference ↗#

1976Sun and interplanetary space

Helios 2

Launch / attempt: 1976-01-15
Country / organisation: DFVLR / NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Study solar plasma and fields from an orbit reaching about 0.29 astronomical units from the Sun.

Mission reference ↗#

1976Moon

Luna 24

Launch / attempt: 1976-08-09
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Sample return

Mission reference ↗#

1977Jupiter and its moons · Saturn and Titan · Uranus · Neptune

Voyager 2

Launch / attempt: 1977-08-20
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Voyager 2 flew past Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune between 1979 and 1989. This grand tour revealed new moons and rings, along with the striking diversity of the four giant planets.

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

1977Jupiter and its moons · Saturn and Titan

Voyager 1

Launch / attempt: 1977-09-05
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

After its Jupiter and Saturn flybys, Voyager 1 crossed beyond the heliosphere in 2012. Its instruments then directly measured the interstellar environment outside the bubble dominated by the solar wind.

Mission reference ↗#

1978Venus

Pioneer Venus 1

Launch / attempt: 1978-05-20
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1978Venus

Pioneer Venus 2

Launch / attempt: 1978-08-08
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Atmospheric investigation

Mission reference ↗#

1978Comets

ISEE-3/ICE

Launch / attempt: 1978-08-12
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1978Venus

Venera 11

Launch / attempt: 1978-09-09
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby · Landing

Mission reference ↗#

1978Venus

Venera 12

Launch / attempt: 1978-09-14
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby · Landing

Mission reference ↗#

1981Venus

Venera 13

Launch / attempt: 1981-10-30
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby · Landing

Mission reference ↗#

1981Venus

Venera 14

Launch / attempt: 1981-11-04
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Flyby · Landing

Mission reference ↗#

1983Venus

Venera 15

Launch / attempt: 1983-06-02
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1983Venus

Venera 16

Launch / attempt: 1983-06-07
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1984Venus · Comets

Vega 1

Launch / attempt: 1984-12-15
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Flyby · Atmospheric investigation

Mission reference ↗#

1984Venus · Comets

Vega 2

Launch / attempt: 1984-12-21
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Flyby · Atmospheric investigation

Mission reference ↗#

1985Comets

Sakigake

Launch / attempt: 1985-01-07
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1985Comets

Giotto

Launch / attempt: 1985-07-02
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1985Comets

Suisei (Planet-A)

Launch / attempt: 1985-08-18
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1988Mars and Phobos

Phobos 1

Launch / attempt: 1988-07-07
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1988Mars and Phobos

Phobos 2

Launch / attempt: 1988-07-12
Country / organisation: USSR

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1989Venus

Magellan

Launch / attempt: 1989-05-04
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1989Jupiter and its moons

Galileo

Launch / attempt: 1989-10-18
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Atmospheric investigation · Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1990Moon

Hiten

Launch / attempt: 1990-01-24
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Flyby · Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1990Jupiter and its moons · Sun and interplanetary space

Ulysses

Launch / attempt: 1990-10-06
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Flyby · Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1992Mars and Phobos

Mars Observer

Launch / attempt: 1992-09-25
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Contact lost according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1994Moon · Asteroids

Clementine

Launch / attempt: 1994-01-25
Country / organisation: DoD / NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby · Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1994Sun and interplanetary space

Wind

Launch / attempt: 1994-11-01
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Measure the solar wind before it interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere.

Mission reference ↗#

1995Sun and interplanetary space

SOHO

Launch / attempt: 1995-12-02
Country / organisation: ESA / NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Observe the Sun from its interior to its corona near the Sun–Earth L1 point.

Mission reference ↗#

1996Asteroids

NEAR Shoemaker

Launch / attempt: 1996-02-17
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1996Mars and Phobos

Mars Global Surveyor

Launch / attempt: 1996-11-07
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1996Mars and Phobos

Mars 96

Launch / attempt: 1996-11-16
Country / organisation: Russia

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1996Mars and Phobos

Mars Pathfinder

Launch / attempt: 1996-12-04
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Rover exploration · Landing

Associated vehicles / other names : Sojourner

Mission reference ↗#

1997Sun and interplanetary space

ACE

Launch / attempt: 1997-08-25
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Analyse solar-wind particles and cosmic rays near L1.

Mission reference ↗#

1997Saturn and Titan

Cassini

Launch / attempt: 1997-10-15
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

During thirteen years around Saturn, Cassini studied its rings and moons. The mission revealed methane seas on Titan and evidence for a global ocean beneath Enceladus’s ice.

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

1997Saturn and Titan

Huygens

Launch / attempt: 1997-10-15
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Atmospheric investigation

Carried by Cassini, Huygens landed on Titan on 14 January 2005. It measured the atmosphere and photographed a landscape shaped by flowing liquids, achieving the first landing in the outer Solar System.

Mission reference ↗#

1998Moon

Lunar Prospector

Launch / attempt: 1998-01-07
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1998Mars and Phobos

Nozomi (Planet-B)

Launch / attempt: 1998-07-03
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

1998Asteroids · Comets

Deep Space 1 (DS1)

Launch / attempt: 1998-10-24
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

1998Mars and Phobos

Mars Climate Orbiter

Launch / attempt: 1998-12-11
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1999Mars and Phobos

Deep Space 2 (DS2)

Launch / attempt: 1999-01-03
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1999Mars and Phobos

Mars Polar Lander

Launch / attempt: 1999-01-03
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

1999Comets

Stardust

Launch / attempt: 1999-02-07
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Sample return

Associated vehicles / other names : NExT

Mission reference ↗#

2001Mars and Phobos

2001 Mars Odyssey

Launch / attempt: 2001-04-07
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2001Sun and interplanetary space

Genesis

Launch / attempt: 2001-08-08
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Sample return

Mission reference ↗#

2002Comets

CONTOUR

Launch / attempt: 2002-07-03
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

2003Asteroids

Hayabusa (Muses-C)

Launch / attempt: 2003-05-09
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Sample return · Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2003Mars and Phobos

Mars Express

Launch / attempt: 2003-06-02
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Associated vehicles / other names : Beagle 2

Mission reference ↗#

2003Mars and Phobos

Spirit (MER-A)

Launch / attempt: 2003-06-10
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Rover exploration

Mission reference ↗#

2003Mars and Phobos

Opportunity (MER-B)

Launch / attempt: 2003-07-08
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Rover exploration

Mission reference ↗#

2003Moon

SMART-1

Launch / attempt: 2003-09-27
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion · Technology demonstration

Test ion propulsion and investigate the composition of the lunar surface.

Mission reference ↗#

2004Comets

Rosetta

Launch / attempt: 2004-03-02
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Rosetta accompanied comet 67P around the Sun to study its gases, dust and nucleus. In November 2014, it delivered Philae, the first spacecraft to land on a comet.

Associated vehicles / other names : Philae

Mission reference ↗#

2004Mercury

MESSENGER

Launch / attempt: 2004-08-03
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mercury’s first orbiter, MESSENGER mapped the surface and studied the magnetic field. Its measurements confirmed water ice in polar deposits sheltered from sunlight.

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

2005Comets

Deep Impact

Launch / attempt: 2005-01-12
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Impact

Associated vehicles / other names : EPOXI

Mission reference ↗#

2005Mars and Phobos

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Launch / attempt: 2005-08-12
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2005Venus

Venus Express

Launch / attempt: 2005-11-09
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2006Pluto and Kuiper belt

New Horizons

Launch / attempt: 2006-01-19
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

New Horizons revealed Pluto and its moons during its 2015 flyby. In January 2019, it explored Arrokoth, a small Kuiper Belt body, extending close-up exploration into the planetary frontier.

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

2006Sun and interplanetary space

STEREO A et B

Launch / attempt: 2006-10-26
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Two solar-orbiting observatories to study solar eruptions in three dimensions.

Mission reference ↗#

2007Mars and Phobos

Phoenix

Launch / attempt: 2007-08-04
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2007Moon

Kaguya (SELENE)

Launch / attempt: 2007-09-14
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Associated vehicles / other names : Okina Ouna

Mission reference ↗#

2007Asteroids

Dawn

Launch / attempt: 2007-09-27
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2007Moon

Chang'e 1

Launch / attempt: 2007-10-24
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2008Moon

Chandrayaan-1

Launch / attempt: 2008-10-22
Country / organisation: India

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2009Moon

LCROSS

Launch / attempt: 2009-06-18
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Impact

Mission reference ↗#

2009Moon

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Launch / attempt: 2009-06-18
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

2010Venus

Akatsuki/Planet-C

Launch / attempt: 2010-05-20
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2010Venus

IKAROS

Launch / attempt: 2010-05-20
Country / organisation: JAXA

Initial objective : Flyby · Technology demonstration

Demonstrate solar-sail propulsion and interplanetary navigation on a journey towards Venus.

Mission reference ↗#

2010Moon

Chang'e 2

Launch / attempt: 2010-10-01
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2011Jupiter and its moons

Juno

Launch / attempt: 2011-08-05
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Juno’s measurements revealed polar cyclones on Jupiter and atmospheric currents extending deep below the clouds. They also prompted revisions to models of the planet’s core and magnetic field.

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

2011Moon

GRAIL

Launch / attempt: 2011-09-10
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Associated vehicles / other names : Ebb Flow

Mission reference ↗#

2011Moon · Mars and Phobos

Phobos-Grunt

Launch / attempt: 2011-11-08
Country / organisation: Russia

Initial objective : Landing

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

2011Mars and Phobos

Yinghuo-1

Launch / attempt: 2011-11-08
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Objective not fully achieved according to the chronology.

Mission reference ↗#

2011Mars and Phobos

Curiosity · Mars Science Laboratory

Launch / attempt: 2011-11-26
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Rover exploration

At Gale Crater, Curiosity identified chemical and mineral evidence of ancient habitable environments. Its rock analyses help reconstruct a watery past that could have supported microbial life.

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

2013Moon

LADEE

Launch / attempt: 2013-09-06
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2013Mars and Phobos

Mangalyaan

Launch / attempt: 2013-11-05
Country / organisation: India

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2013Mars and Phobos

MAVEN

Launch / attempt: 2013-11-18
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2013Moon

Chang'e 3

Launch / attempt: 2013-12-01
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Rover exploration · Landing

Associated vehicles / other names : Yutu

Mission reference ↗#

2014Moon

Chang'e 5 Test Vehicle

Launch / attempt: 2014-10-23
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

2014Asteroids

Hayabusa 2

Launch / attempt: 2014-12-03
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Sample return

Associated vehicles / other names : MASCOT MINERVA-II

Mission reference ↗#

2014Asteroids

PROCYON

Launch / attempt: 2014-12-03
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

2015Sun and interplanetary space

DSCOVR

Launch / attempt: 2015-02-11
Country / organisation: NOAA / NASA / US Air Force

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Measure the solar wind and observe Earth from near the Sun–Earth L1 point.

Mission reference ↗#

2016Mars and Phobos

ExoMars 2016

Launch / attempt: 2016-03-14
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Landing · Orbit insertion

Associated vehicles / other names : Trace Gas Orbiter TGO Schiaparelli

Mission reference ↗#

2016Asteroids

OSIRIS-REx

Launch / attempt: 2016-09-08
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Sample return

After collecting rocks and dust from Bennu in 2020, OSIRIS-REx delivered its capsule to Earth on 24 September 2023. These samples enable laboratory studies of ancient Solar System materials.

Associated vehicles / other names : OSIRIS-APEX

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

2018Mars and Phobos

InSight

Launch / attempt: 2018-05-05
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2018Moon

Queqiao

Launch / attempt: 2018-05-20
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Communications relay

Mission reference ↗#

2018Venus · Sun and interplanetary space

Parker Solar Probe

Launch / attempt: 2018-08-12
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby · Orbit insertion

In 2021, Parker Solar Probe became the first spacecraft to pass through the solar corona. It directly measured particles and magnetic fields there to help explain the origin of the solar wind.

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

2018Mercury

BepiColombo

Launch / attempt: 2018-10-20
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Associated vehicles / other names : MPO Mio

Mission reference ↗#

2018Moon

Chang'e 4

Launch / attempt: 2018-12-07
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Rover exploration · Landing

Associated vehicles / other names : Yutu 2

Mission reference ↗#

2019Moon

Beresheet

Launch / attempt: 2019-02-22
Country / organisation: SpaceIL / IAI · Israel

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2019Moon

Chandrayaan 2

Launch / attempt: 2019-07-22
Country / organisation: India

Initial objective : Rover exploration · Landing · Orbit insertion

Associated vehicles / other names : Vikram Pragyan

Mission reference ↗#

2020Sun and interplanetary space

Solar Orbiter

Launch / attempt: 2020-02-10
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2020Mars and Phobos

Hope

Launch / attempt: 2020-07-19
Country / organisation: United Arab Emirates

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2020Mars and Phobos

Tianwen 1

Launch / attempt: 2020-07-23
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Rover exploration · Orbit insertion

Associated vehicles / other names : Zhurong

Mission reference ↗#

2020Mars and Phobos

Perseverance · Mars 2020

Launch / attempt: 2020-07-30
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Rover exploration

At Jezero, Perseverance investigated evidence of an ancient lake and delta and collected samples. Its MOXIE experiment also demonstrated oxygen production from the Martian atmosphere.

Associated vehicles / other names : Ingenuity

Mission reference ↗Missions in pictures →#

2020Moon

Chang'e 5

Launch / attempt: 2020-11-23
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Sample return

Mission reference ↗#

2021Asteroids

Lucy

Launch / attempt: 2021-10-16
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

2021Asteroids

Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART)

Launch / attempt: 2021-11-24
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Impact

Mission reference ↗#

2021Asteroids

LICIACube

Launch / attempt: 2021-11-24
Country / organisation: Italy

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

2022Moon

CAPSTONE

Launch / attempt: 2022-06-28
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion · Technology demonstration

Mission reference ↗#

2022Moon

Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri)

Launch / attempt: 2022-08-04
Country / organisation: South Korea

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2022Moon

EQUULEUS

Launch / attempt: 2022-11-16
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2022Moon

LunaH-Map

Launch / attempt: 2022-11-16
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2022Moon

Lunar Ice Cube

Launch / attempt: 2022-11-16
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2022Moon

Lunar InfraRed imaging (LunIR)

Launch / attempt: 2022-11-16
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby · Technology demonstration

Mission reference ↗#

2022Asteroids

NEA Scout

Launch / attempt: 2022-11-16
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby

Mission reference ↗#

2022Moon

OMOTENASHI

Launch / attempt: 2022-11-16
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2022Moon

Hakuto-R M1

Launch / attempt: 2022-12-11
Country / organisation: ispace · Japan

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2022Moon

Lunar Flashlight

Launch / attempt: 2022-12-11
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2023Jupiter and its moons

JUICE

Launch / attempt: 2023-04-14
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Flyby · Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2023Moon

Chandrayaan 3

Launch / attempt: 2023-07-14
Country / organisation: India

Initial objective : Landing · Rover exploration

Associated vehicles / other names : Vikram Pragyan

Mission reference ↗#

2023Moon

Luna 25

Launch / attempt: 2023-08-10
Country / organisation: Russia

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2023Sun and interplanetary space

Aditya-L1

Launch / attempt: 2023-09-02
Country / organisation: ISRO

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Study the Sun from a halo orbit around the Sun–Earth L1 point.

Mission reference ↗#

2023Moon

SLIM

Launch / attempt: 2023-09-06
Country / organisation: Japan

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2023Asteroids

Psyche

Launch / attempt: 2023-10-13
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2024Moon

Peregrine Mission 1 (Astrobotic)

Launch / attempt: 2024-01-08
Country / organisation: Astrobotic / NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2024Moon

Intuitive Machines 1 (Odysseus)

Launch / attempt: 2024-02-15
Country / organisation: Intuitive Machines / NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2024Moon

Queqiao 2

Launch / attempt: 2024-03-20
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Communications relay

Mission reference ↗#

2024Moon

Tiandu-1

Launch / attempt: 2024-03-20
Country / organisation: CNSA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion · Communications relay · Technology demonstration

Test Earth–Moon communications and navigation in formation with the other Tiandu satellite.

Mission reference ↗#

2024Moon

Tiandu-2

Launch / attempt: 2024-03-20
Country / organisation: CNSA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion · Communications relay · Technology demonstration

Test Earth–Moon communications and navigation in formation with the other Tiandu satellite.

Mission reference ↗#

2024Moon

Chang'e 6

Launch / attempt: 2024-05-03
Country / organisation: China

Initial objective : Sample return

On 25 June 2024, Chang’e 6 returned the first samples collected from the Moon’s far side. The mission combined landing, sampling, ascent and a rendezvous in lunar orbit.

Mission reference ↗#

2024Asteroids

Hera

Launch / attempt: 2024-10-07
Country / organisation: ESA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Associated vehicles / other names : Juventas Milani

Mission reference ↗#

2024Jupiter and its moons

Europa Clipper

Launch / attempt: 2024-10-14
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Flyby · Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2025Moon

Blue Ghost 1 (Firefly)

Launch / attempt: 2025-01-15
Country / organisation: Firefly Aerospace / NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2025Moon

HAKUTO-R Mission 2 · Resilience

Launch / attempt: 2025-01-15
Country / organisation: ispace · Japan

Initial objective : Rover exploration · Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2025Moon

IM-2 · Athena

Launch / attempt: 2025-02-26
Country / organisation: Intuitive Machines / NASA · United States

Initial objective : Landing

Mission reference ↗#

2025Moon

Lunar Trailblazer

Launch / attempt: 2025-02-26
Country / organisation: NASA · United States

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Mission reference ↗#

2025Asteroids

Odin

Launch / attempt: 2025-02-26
Country / organisation: AstroForge

Initial objective : Flyby · Technology demonstration

Attempt an imaging flyby of asteroid 2022 OB5 to prepare for small-body prospecting.

Mission reference ↗#

2025Asteroids

Tianwen-2

Launch / attempt: 2025-05-28
Country / organisation: CNSA

Initial objective : Sample return · Orbit insertion

Collect samples from 2016 HO3 for return to Earth, then explore comet 311P.

Mission reference ↗#

2025Sun and interplanetary space

Carruthers Geocorona Observatory

Launch / attempt: 2025-09-24
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Observe Earth’s ultraviolet geocorona and its response to space weather from L1.

Mission reference ↗#

2025Sun and interplanetary space

IMAP

Launch / attempt: 2025-09-24
Country / organisation: NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Map interactions at the boundary of the heliosphere from the Sun–Earth L1 point.

Mission reference ↗#

2025Sun and interplanetary space

SWFO-L1 / SOLAR-1

Launch / attempt: 2025-09-24
Country / organisation: NOAA / NASA

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Observe solar wind and coronal mass ejections from L1 for space-weather forecasting.

Mission reference ↗#

2025Mars and Phobos

ESCAPADE

Launch / attempt: 2025-11-13
Country / organisation: NASA / UC Berkeley

Initial objective : Orbit insertion

Two probes to study how solar wind affects Mars’ magnetosphere and atmospheric loss.

Mission reference ↗#

Sources and credits

Each record links to its documentation. Historical entries use NASA/NSSDC; additions and corrections use NASA, ESA, JAXA, ISRO, CNSA and mission operators. The images retain their full framing and their nature is identified.

Sources checked on 23 October 2026

Continue exploring

Lunar missions Rockets and astronauts Solar System atlas