TRACKER-1ALPHA
48.8566°N / 2.3522°E

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Frequently asked questions about space

All the answers to your questions about space exploration, missions, spacecraft and discoveries — aggregated from the TRACKER-1 catalog.

General questions

What is TRACKER-1?

TRACKER-1 is a space exploration tracker: it follows active space telescopes, probes, rovers, stations and landers that observe or explore space. The catalog currently tracks 31 missions.

How many space missions does TRACKER-1 track?

TRACKER-1 tracks 31 active or in-transit space missions, from the Sun to interstellar space.

Are the data up to date?

Yes: the catalog is curated and enriched with real-time feeds (news, discoveries, photos from NASA and ESA). Each mission page links to primary sources.

Can I cite TRACKER-1?

Yes, mention the site and the relevant mission. For scientific facts, cite the primary sources listed (NASA, ESA, publications).

What is the difference between a telescope and a probe?

A space telescope observes from afar (Hubble, Webb), while a space probe travels to its target to study it up close (Voyager, Parker Solar Probe).

How many scientists are documented in the catalog?

76 scientists are associated with catalog missions, including principal investigators, project scientists and researchers.

By exploration target

Which spacecraft explore Moon?

4 mission(s) in the catalog study Moon: Europa Clipper, JUICE, Chandrayaan-3, TESS. See the Moon topic for details.

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Which spacecraft explore Asteroids & comets?

4 mission(s) in the catalog study Asteroids & comets: Hera, Psyche, OSIRIS-APEX, New Horizons. See the Asteroids & comets topic for details.

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Which spacecraft explore Deep universe?

4 mission(s) in the catalog study Deep universe: Euclid, James Webb, Gaia, Chandra X-ray. See the Deep universe topic for details.

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Which spacecraft explore Sun?

4 mission(s) in the catalog study Sun: Aditya-L1, Solar Orbiter, Parker Solar Probe, SOHO. See the Sun topic for details.

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Which spacecraft explore Jupiter & moons?

2 mission(s) in the catalog study Jupiter & moons: Lucy, Juno. See the Jupiter & moons topic for details.

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Which spacecraft explore Earth & orbit?

3 mission(s) in the catalog study Earth & orbit: Tiangong, Station ISS, Hubble. See the Earth & orbit topic for details.

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Which spacecraft explore Mars?

6 mission(s) in the catalog study Mars: Perseverance, Tianwen-1 / Zhurong, MAVEN, Curiosity, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Express. See the Mars topic for details.

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Which spacecraft explore Mercury & Venus?

2 mission(s) in the catalog study Mercury & Venus: BepiColombo, Akatsuki. See the Mercury & Venus topic for details.

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Which spacecraft explore Interstellar space?

2 mission(s) in the catalog study Interstellar space: Voyager 1, Voyager 2. See the Interstellar space topic for details.

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By spacecraft type

Which space telescopes are tracked?

6 space telescopes tracked: Euclid, James Webb, TESS, Gaia, Chandra X-ray, Hubble.

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Which space probes are tracked?

20 space probes tracked: Europa Clipper, Hera, JUICE, Psyche, Aditya-L1, Lucy, Solar Orbiter, Tianwen-1 / Zhurong, BepiColombo, Parker Solar Probe, OSIRIS-APEX, MAVEN, Juno, Akatsuki, New Horizons, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Express, SOHO, Voyager 1, Voyager 2.

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Which rovers are tracked?

2 rovers tracked: Perseverance, Curiosity.

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Which space stations are tracked?

2 space stations tracked: Tiangong, Station ISS.

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Which landers are tracked?

1 landers tracked: Chandrayaan-3.

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By agency

Which missions does CNSA participate in?

CNSA participates in 2 mission(s) in the catalog: Tiangong, Tianwen-1 / Zhurong.

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Which missions does CSA participate in?

CSA participates in 2 mission(s) in the catalog: James Webb, Station ISS.

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Which missions does ESA participate in?

ESA participates in 11 mission(s) in the catalog: Hera, JUICE, Euclid, James Webb, Solar Orbiter, BepiColombo, Gaia, Mars Express, Station ISS, SOHO, Hubble.

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Which missions does ISRO participate in?

ISRO participates in 2 mission(s) in the catalog: Aditya-L1, Chandrayaan-3.

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Which missions does JAXA participate in?

JAXA participates in 3 mission(s) in the catalog: BepiColombo, Akatsuki, Station ISS.

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Which missions does NASA participate in?

NASA participates in 21 mission(s) in the catalog: Europa Clipper, Psyche, Euclid, James Webb, Lucy, Solar Orbiter, Perseverance, TESS, Parker Solar Probe, OSIRIS-APEX, MAVEN, Juno, Curiosity, New Horizons, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Chandra X-ray, Station ISS, SOHO, Hubble, Voyager 1, Voyager 2.

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Which missions does Roscosmos participate in?

Roscosmos participates in 1 mission(s) in the catalog: Station ISS.

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