Fast Facts for Kids
Space Probe Facts for Kids

Space Probe Facts for Kids

  • Technology Name: Space Probe
  • Technology Type: Space Technology, Artificial Satellite or Rover
  • Technology Applications: Scientific Exploration and Observation
  • First Deployment: October 4th, 1957
  • First Space Probe Deployed: Soviet Sputnik 1 Artificial Satellite.
  • Inventor of the First Satellite: Soviet spacecraft designer Sergei Korolev
  • Total Satellites in Space: ~30 Active

17 Space Probe Facts For Kids

  1. Space probes are manmade satellites that are used to explore to collect scientific data and explore outer space.
  2. Humans have explored our Solar Systems using space probes, visiting planets, moons, and other astronomical bodies.
  3. Space probes are unmanned and are controlled from Earth by transmitting commands.
  4. Space probes are powered by the Sun, radioisotope power systems, and/or onboard propellant.
  5. Space probes were a big part of the Space Race between the United States and the former Soviet Union.
  6. Almost all the first space probe achievements were done by the USA or the former USSR during the Space Race.
  7. The first space probe successfully launched into space was the Soviet Union satellite Sputnik 1 on October 4th, 1957.
  8. The first space probe to successfully fly-by the Moon was the Soviet Union spacecraft Luna 1 on January 2nd, 1959.
  9. The first space probe to take a picture of Earth from outer space was the United State satellite Explorer 6 on August 7th, 1959.
  10. The first space probe to successfully fly-by the planet Venus was the United States spacecraft Mariner 2 on December 14th, 1962.
  11. The first space probe to successfully fly-by the planet Mars was the United States spacecraft Mariner 4 on July 14th, 1965.
  12. The first space probe to successfully fly-by the planet Jupiter was the United States spacecraft Pioneer 10 on December 3rd, 1973.
  13. The first space probe to successfully fly-by the planet Mercury was the United States spacecraft Mariner 10 on March 29th, 1974.
  14. The first space probe to successfully fly-by the planet Saturn was the United States spacecraft Pioneer 11 on September 1st, 1979.
  15. The first space probe to successfully fly-by the planet Uranus was the United States spacecraft Voyager 2 on January 24th, 1986.
  16. The first space probe to successfully fly-by the planet Neptune was the United States spacecraft Voyager 2 on August 25th, 1989.
  17. The first space probe to successfully fly-by the dwarf planet Neptune was the United States spacecraft New Horizons on July 14th, 2015.

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Space Probe Pictures

Pictures are one of the best ways for people to learning about something. That is why we are providing you with the below images to help you with your research on space probes. Below you will find three pictures that represent space probes. These pictures should help you better understand space probes and what they look like.

Space Probe Over Mars

A picture of a space probe over Mars.

Space Probe In Deep Space

A picture of a space probe in deep space.

Space Probe On A Steroid

A picture of a space probe on a steroid.

Space Probe Resources

Hopefully the above space probe facts, data, stats, and pictures were helpful with your research. If you need to continue researching space probes you can use one of the below websites. We selected the below websites for their credibility and accurate data on space probes.