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MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging)United StatesMercuryIn flightAugust 20042011MESSENGER will study the solar system’s innermost planet, the first spacecraft to visit there since Mariner 10 in 1974.

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Venus ExpressEuropean Space Agency (ESA)VenusIn Venus orbitNovember 9, 2005April 2006Venus Express represents the ESA’s first effort to study the planet Venus.

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Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS)United StatesMoonTesting phase2008These two unmanned spacecraft will survey the moon to help find safe landing sites for future human visits.

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Chandrayaan 1IndiaMoonPreparing for launchSummer 20082 yearsThe unmanned Chandrayaan 1 will be India’s first spacecraft to travel to the moon. It includes instruments from several other space agencies, including NASA and ESA.

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Mars ExpressEuropean Space Agency (ESA)MarsIn Mars orbitJune 2, 2003December 2003Already a successful mission, Mars Express has been granted mission extensions through at least May 2009.

Mars Exploration Rovers (MERs)

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Mars Exploration Rover A, “Spirit”United StatesGusev Crater, MarsActiveJune 10, 2003January 3, 2004Spirit was the first of NASA’s two Mars Exploration Rovers to arrive at the Red Planet. Originally designed to function for three months, each has continued working for over four years.

Mars Exploration Rovers (MERs)

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Mars Exploration Rover B, “Opportunity”United StatesMeridiani Planum, MarsActiveJuly 7, 2003January 25, 2004Opportunity continues its mission, analyzing the area known as Meridiani Planum. Among other things, both rovers have confirmed signs that liquid water once existed on Mars.

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Mars Phoenix LanderUnited States (University of Arizona coll. w/ NASA)North polar region, MarsIn flightAugust 4, 2007May 25, 2008The Phoenix lander will touch down in the ice-rich polar region. It is designed to search for water ice, and other signs of environments hospitable to microbial life.

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JunoUnited StatesJupiterProposed20112016Juno is planned to orbit the largest planet in an unprecedented polar orbit. It will be the first mission to Jupiter powered by solar panels.

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Cassini/HuygensUnited StatesSaturnIn Saturn orbit10/17/1997July 2004Since arriving at Saturn, Cassini has spent the past four years transmitting remarkable pictures of the planet, its rings, and many moons.

Enceladus

Phoebe

Mimas

Crescent Saturn

Saturnian RingsCloud patterns

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Huygens LanderEuropean Space Agency (ESA)Titan, the largest moon of SaturnMission completed10/17/1997, on board Cassini1/15/2005The Huygens probe was designed to parachute down through the clouds of Saturn, to arrive at its surface. It functioned perfectly.

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New HorizonsUnited StatesJupiter, Pluto, Kuiper BeltIn flightJanuary 2006June 2015New Horizons will be the first probe ever to travel to Pluto. Even though it is the fastest manmade object ever made, it will still take nearly a decade to arrive there.