Probe Imagers
Examples of space probe imaging telescope/cameras (focused on visible spectrum).
| Name | Aperture cm (in.) |
Type | Where | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter—HiRISE | 50 cm (19.7″) | R/C | Mars orbit | 2005 |
| Mars Global Surveyor—MOC | 35 cm (13.8″) | R/C | Mars orbit | 1996–2006 |
| New Horizons—LORRI | 20.8 cm (8.2″) | R/C | Space (33+ AU from Earth) | 2006 |
| Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter LROC-NAC | 19.5 cm (7.68″) | Reflector | Lunar orbit | 2009 |
| Cassini—ISS-NAC | 19 cm (7.5″) | Reflector | Saturn orbit | 2004 |
| Galileo - Solid State Imager | 17.65 cm (6.95″) | Reflector | Jupiter | 1989-2003 |
| Voyager 1/2, ISS-NAC | 17.6 cm (6.92″) | Catadioptric | Space | 1977 |
| Mariner 10 - TV Photo Experiment (x2) | 15 cm (5.9″) | Reflector | Space | 1973-1975 |
| Deep Space 1—MICAS | 10 cm ( 3.94″) | Reflector | Solar orbit | 1998-2001 |
| Voyager 1/2, ISS-WAC | 6 cm (2.36″) | Lens | Space | 1977 |
| Cassini—ISS-WAC | 5.7 cm (2.2″) | Lens | Saturn orbit | 2004 |
| MESSENGER MDIS-WAC | 3 cm (1.18″) | Lens | Mercury orbit | 2004 |
| MESSENGER MDIS-NAC | 2.5 cm (0.98″) | R/C | Mercury orbit | 2004 |
| Dawn Framing Camera (FC1/FC2) | 2 cm (0.8″) | Lens | Asteroid belt | 2007 |
Image forming systems on space probes typically have a multitude of specifications, but aperture can be useful because it constrains the best diffraction limit and light gathering area.
Read more about this topic: Space Probe
Famous quotes containing the word probe:
“Y’know scientists are funny. We probe and measure and dissect. Invent lights without heat, weigh a caterpillar’s eyebrow. But when it comes to really important things we’re as stupid as the caveman.... Like love. Makes the world go ‘round, but what do we know about it? Is it a fact? Is it chemistry? Electricity?”
—Martin Berkeley, and Jack Arnold. Helen Dobson (Lori Nelson)