Robot Explorers

Abstract

Robotic space probes have proven themselves to be capable explorers, roaming the solar system, observing the galaxy, and pushing back the boundaries of the final frontier. Those looking for a return to the glory days of human space exploration will need patience. NASA is aiming for a human landing on Mars in the 2030s, though cynics might contend that a Mars mission has been “just over the horizon” for a generation. Private-sector efforts in the near term are limited to suborbital tourism. Fortunately, NASA, the European Space Agency, and groups from other countries are readying a variety of missions that should answer some of astronomy’s biggest questions, all while keeping human feet firmly on the ground. In this article, we review nine unmanned missions that will explore new frontiers in space over the next decade.