The Hubble Space Telescope sent into space in 1990 has made significant contributions to our knowledge of astrobiology. Although it was only supposed to operate for 15 years it was seamlessly sending data until June 2021.
Many Hubble observations are providing clues about the formation of planets. Hubble has also been used to study asteroids, comets, moons, and planets throughout the solar system.
MAVEN
NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission began orbiting Mars in 2014. It has been sending the atmosphere, climate and weather info from the red planet, ever since.
Mars Odyssey
For twenty years the NASA Mars Odyssey has been mapping the geography, chemical elements, and minerals on the surface of Mars.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
The NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) searches Mars for evidence that water was once present on the surface. If water was ever on any part of the planet’s surface it may have enabled life to exist.
TESS Mission
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is searching for planets outside of our solar system. NASA hopes to find an exoplanet that supports life. Launched in 2018, TESS is on a mission to survey the sky. So far 120 confirmed exoplanets have been discovered. And more than 2,600 planet candidates have been identified.
