Space Probe

What is a space probe? -

A space probe is the everyday name given to an unmanned spacecraft, and there are several types. Fly-by crafts travel past their target, orbiter fly around it, and landers touch-down on it, either standing still or releasing a rover to travel across its surface. 

Planetary orbiters -

Planet: Mercury

First orbiter: Messenger

Date into orbit: March 2011 

Planet: Venus

First orbiter: Venera 9 

Date into orbit: October 1975

Planet: Mars

First orbiter: Mariner 9

Date into orbit: November 1971

Planet: Jupiter

First orbiter: Galileo 

Date into orbit: December 1995 

Planet: Saturn

First orbiter: Cassini

Date into orbit: July 2004 

-Keva