Planetary Science Overview

Definition: Study of planets, moons, and other celestial bodies in the solar system and beyond.
Key Areas:
- Planet Formation: Theories on how planets form from protoplanetary disks around stars.
- Geology of Planets: Examination of surface processes, internal structures, and geological history.
- Atmospheric Science: Study of planetary atmospheres, including composition, weather patterns, and climate.
- Astrobiology: Exploration of the potential for life on other planets and moons.
Planet Types:
- Terrestrial Planets: Rocky planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) with solid surfaces.
- Gas Giants: Large planets (Jupiter, Saturn) primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
- Ice Giants: Uranus and Neptune, with significant amounts of water, ammonia, and methane.
Moons and Exoplanets:
- Study of natural satellites and planets outside our solar system (exoplanets), including detection methods (transit, radial velocity).

Definition: Investigation and discovery of outer space through the use of spacecraft and telescopes.
Historical Milestones:
- First Artificial Satellite: Sputnik 1 (1957) by the Soviet Union.
- First Human in Space: Yuri Gagarin (1961).
- Moon Landing: Apollo 11 mission (1969), first humans on the Moon.
Types of Missions:
- Crewed Missions: Manned spaceflights (e.g., International Space Station, Mars missions).
- Uncrewed Missions: Robotic spacecraft for exploration (e.g., Voyager, Mars rovers, Hubble Space Telescope).
Current and Future Exploration:
- Mars Exploration: Ongoing missions (Perseverance, Curiosity) to study the Martian surface and search for signs of life.
- Artemis Program: NASA's plan to return humans to the Moon by the mid-2020s.
- Commercial Spaceflight: Growth of private companies (SpaceX, Blue Origin) in space travel and satellite deployment.
Technological Innovations:
- Rocket Technology: Advancements in propulsion systems, reusable rockets.
- Satellite Technology: Improvements in communication, observation, and navigation satellites.
International Collaboration:
- Partnerships among space agencies (NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, CNSA) for shared missions and research.

Study of celestial entities, including planets and moons, within and beyond the solar system.
Investigates theories of planet formation from protoplanetary disks surrounding stars.
Analyzes the geology of planets, focusing on surface processes, internal structures, and geological histories.
Explores planetary atmospheres regarding composition, weather patterns, and climatic conditions.
Examines astrobiology, assessing the potential for life on extraterrestrial bodies.
Classifies planets into three main types:
- Terrestrial planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars—characterized by solid, rocky surfaces.
- Gas giants: Jupiter and Saturn—composed mainly of hydrogen and helium.
- Ice giants: Uranus and Neptune—contain significant amounts of water, ammonia, and methane.
Studies moons (natural satellites) and exoplanets (planets outside the solar system), including their detection methods such as transit and radial velocity techniques.

Involves the investigation of outer space utilizing spacecraft and telescopes.
Important historical milestones include:
- Launch of Sputnik 1 (1957), the first artificial satellite by the Soviet Union.
- Yuri Gagarin's journey in 1961, marking the first human in space.
- Apollo 11 mission in 1969, achieving the first crewed moon landing.
Types of space missions:
- Crewed missions include manned spaceflights such as missions to the International Space Station and planned Mars expeditions.
- Uncrewed missions utilize robotic spacecraft for exploration, notable examples being the Voyager missions, Mars rovers, and Hubble Space Telescope.
Ongoing and future exploration efforts focus on:
- Mars with missions like Perseverance and Curiosity aimed at surface analysis and astrobiological research.
- NASA's Artemis Program targeting a return to the Moon by the mid-2020s.
- The rise of commercial spaceflight ventures led by private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Innovations in technology play a crucial role:
- Rocket technology advancements focus on improved propulsion systems and the development of reusable rockets.
- Satellite technology enhancements revolve around better communication, observation, and navigation capabilities.
International collaboration is vital, with various space agencies (NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, CNSA) working together on shared missions and research initiatives.