Recent Notable Missions by Space Agencies and Private Companies
This document outlines significant missions undertaken by NASA, ISRO, ESA, and private companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, highlighting their contributions to space exploration.
NASA Missions
- Perseverance Rover (2020): Launched to Mars with the goal of searching for signs of ancient life and collecting rock samples for future return to Earth.
- Artemis I (2022): An uncrewed mission that serves as a test flight for the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, paving the way for future lunar exploration.
ISRO Missions
- Chandrayaan-2 (2019): A mission aimed at studying the Moon, featuring an orbiter, lander, and rover, although the lander did not achieve a soft landing.
- Gaganyaan (Planned for 2024): India's first manned space mission aiming to send Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit.
ESA Missions
- JUICE (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer, 2023): Designed to study Jupiter's moons, particularly Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto to search for potential habitability.
- EarthCARE (2023): A satellite mission to study the interaction between clouds, aerosols, and radiation in Earth's atmosphere.
Private Company Missions
SpaceX
- CRS-21 (2020): A resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS) that delivered cargo using the Dragon spacecraft.
- Starship Development: Continual testing of the Starship, intended for missions to Mars and beyond, with multiple launches since 2020.
Blue Origin
- New Shepard (2021): A suborbital flight that successfully carried tourists in July 2021, marking a significant step in commercial space travel.
- Orbital Reef (Announced 2021): A partnership with Sierra Space to create a commercially operated space station in low Earth orbit.
These missions represent significant advances in our understanding of space and the potential for future exploration beyond Earth.
