Unmanned Spaceflight - Unmanned Spaceflight

Unmanned Spaceflight

Subcategories of unmanned spaceflight are “robotic spacecraft” (objects) and “robotic space missions” (activities).

A robotic spacecraft is a spacecraft with no humans on board, that is usually under telerobotic control. A robotic spacecraft designed to make scientific research measurements is often called a space probe.

Unmanned space missions are those using remote-controlled spacecraft. The first unmanned space mission was Sputnik I, launched October 4, 1957 to orbit the Earth. Space missions where animals but no humans are on-board are considered unmanned missions. Space missions with a mixed human and other animal crew are considered manned missions.