Designing space missions requires meticulous planning and focused cooperation among all stakeholders.
In designing space missions, those involved create a preliminary design and project plan as a proof of concept specifying what to build, when to launch, the course the spacecraft is to take, what is to be done during cruise, when the spacecraft will reach the target, and what operations will be carried out.
Space probes are the most common space projects that require considerable design input. The types of space probes include:
- Fly-by missions pass nearby planets and moons and take data from a distance.
- Orbiters are parts of missions designed to stay in orbit.
- Landers are parts of missions intended to land on a planet or moon.
- Rovers are vehicles designed to travel across a planet or moon’s surface.
NASA is particularly excited about upcoming projects that have gone through much design and testing.
In December 2025, NASA plans to return to the moon with Artemis III, which is planned to land the first astronauts near the lunar South Pole.
Then there’s Artemis IV, which is planned to be the first mission to incorporate the Gateway lunar space station.
Through Artemis, the agency will establish a long-term presence at the moon for scientific exploration with our commercial and international partners, learn how to live and work away from home, and prepare for future human exploration of the Red Planet.
According to NASA, its foundation for deep space exploration includes the SLS (Space Launch System), exploration ground systems, NASA’s Orion spacecraft, the human landing system, next-generation spacesuits, the lunar space station, and future rovers.
Want to Learn more? Tonex offers Designing Space Missions and Space Environment Training, a 3-day course that focuses on conceptual understanding of space missions, space environment, mechanics, maneuvers, propulsion and control systems used in all space missions.
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