Unmanned space missions

Remore-controlled spacecraft often are more effective in carrying out scientific and observational missions that are [Manned space missions]?.

Unmanned programs through the ages (first mission year given, if known)

Early Earth-orbital missions

• Sputnik program, 1957 - Earth orbit
• Explorer, 1958 - Earth orbit
• Vanguard, 1959 - Earth orbit

See also: Weather satellites, Communication satellites, etc.

Lunar exploration

• Luna, 1959 - Lunar exploration
• Ranger - Lunar hard-landing
• Surveyor - Lunar soft-landing probe
• Orbiter - Lunar orbital

Planetary exploration

• Venera - Venus, orbital and landing
• Mariner program - Mercury, Venus and Mars, flyby and orbital
• [Mars Climate Orbiter]?
• Mars Odyssey
• [Mars Polar Lander]?
• [Viking program]? - Mars lander
• [Pioneer program]? - Jupiter and Saturn, flyby
• [Voyager program]? - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, flyby
• [Galileo program]?