Imaging Our Solar System: The Evolution of Space Mission Cameras and Instruments

Description

As we speak, stunning new snapshots of our Solar System are being transmitted to Earth by a fleet of space probes, landers, and rovers. Yet nowadays, it is all too easy to take such images for granted amidst the deluge of competing visuals we scroll through every day. To truly understand the value of these incredible space photos, we first need to understand the tools that made them possible. This is the story of imaging instruments in space, detailing all the technological missteps and marvels that have allowed us to view planetary bodies like never before. From the rudimentary cameras launched in the 1950’s to the cutting-edge imaging instruments onboard the Mars Perseverance rover, this book covers more than 100 imaging systems sent aboard various spacecraft to explore near and distant planetary bodies.  Featured within are some of the most striking images ever received by these pioneering instruments, including Voyager’s Pale Blue Dot, Apollo’s Blue Marble, Venera’s images from the surface of Venus, Huygens’ images of Titan, New Horizon’s images of Pluto and Arrokoth, and much more. Along the way, you will learn about advancements in data transmission, digitization, citizen science, and other fields that revolutionized space imaging, helping us peer farther and more clearly across the Solar System. Acknowledgments Contents About the Author Preface About This Book Imaging Tools for Beginners Imaging Tools for Planetary Exploration Final Thoughts Part I: First Lights Missions Launched from 1946–1977 1: Imaging the Unknown The New Frontier Pushing the Boundaries Space Photographer Mariner 4 2: Destination: Moon The Rangers Crashing on the Moon Luna, Surveyor, and Lunar Orbiter Missions Luna 9 Surveyor 1 Lunar Orbiter 1 The Age of Apollo After Apollo 11 3: Race to the Planets The Martians (Mariners & Mars probes) Pioneer 10 Mariner 10 Venera 9 & Venera 10 Viking 1 & Viking 2 Voyager 1 & Voyager 2 Pioneer 11 The Voyagers at Saturn and Beyond The First Family Portrait Part II: Dawn of the Digital Era Missions Launched 1981–1989 4: Lost Opportunities and New Capabilities Venera 13 & Venera 14 The Halley Armada: Vega 1 & Vega 2, Sakigake, Suisei, and Giotto Fobos 1 & Fobos 2 Galileo 5: Ambitions Renewed Mars Observer Clementine NEAR Shoemaker Mars Global Surveyor Pathfinder & Sojourner Cassini & Huygens Deep Space 1 Stardust Part III: The New Golden Era Missions launched from 2000–2021 6: The Inner Solar System in Focus 2001 Mars Odyssey Hayabusa Mars Express Spirit & Opportunity Rosetta & Philae Messenger Deep Impact Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Venus Express New Horizons Phoenix Kaguya Dawn The Chang’e Missions (2007–2021) Chang’e 1 Chang’e 2 Chang’e 3 Chang’e 4 Chang’e 5 The Chandrayaan Missions (2008–2019) Chandrayaan-1 Chandrayaan-2 The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter & Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite 7: Modern Missions Akatsuki Juno Curiosity Mars Orbiter Mission Hayabusa 2 Trace Gas Orbiter InSight OSIRIS-REx BepiColombo Hope Tianwen 1 Perseverance Future Missions LUCY Dart JUICE Luna 25 Psyche JANUS Rosalind Franklin Rover Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) Europa Clipper Emirates Lunar Mission Dragonfly DAVINCI+ VERITAS EnVision One Final Thought Appendix 1: Spectra with Different Elements Appendix 2: Timeline of Main Events Appendix 3: Overall Mission Table Further Reading Index