Exploring in space

What tools of exploration are sent into space?

Click below to learn more about six different groups of tools used for space exploration. To learn even more about tools used to explore the Universe, visit the National Air & Space Museum's Exploring the Planets.

Full-scale telescope mock up; 43- foot long cylinder covered in aluminum foil with appendances mounted on angle

Airborne Orbital Telescope

A Development Test Model of a flyby spacecraft with a 10 foot antenna

Probes and Fly-by Spacecraft

Orbiters

The Viking lander test model; grey with four bases and an arm.

Landers

Lunar Roving Vehicle; similar to a dune buggy with space for two people to sit and an antenna on the front end.

Rovers

Capsule used for a sample return; capsule opens and closes and has build in interior to protect sample

Sample Return

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