Space Probes

Question 1

What are the extreme conditions that spacecraft encounter?

Answer 1

Cold, distances, impact etc

Question 2

How are space probes powered?

Answer 2

Solar panels - photovoltaic cells

Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG)

Question 3

What are the difficult aspects associated with interplanetary communications?

Answer 3

Quiet signals
Light (radio waves) travels at a finite speed.
Have to know where things will be in space to hit the receiver.

Question 4

What are some examples of remote sensing instruments typically carried by spacecraft?

Answer 4

Typically record or produce a picture
Radar/laser altimeter to map surface elevation
Imaging cameras (Optical, Infrared, UV)
Spectrometer

Question 5

What are some examples of direct sensing instruments typically carried by spacecraft?

Answer 5

Collect specimens, but do not recreate a picture
Particle detector
Dust detector
Magnetometer
Mass spectrometer to determine chemical composition