Questions about Deep space exploration

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Where is the 70-meter-wide radio antenna used for deep space exploration located?

The 70-meter-wide radio antenna stands at the Canberra facility in Australia. This hardware belongs to NASA's Deep Space Network and listens to signals from the edge of known space.

When did Voyager 1 officially enter interstellar space according to NASA records?

Voyager 1 entered interstellar space on the 25th of August 2012. Officials announced its arrival at the outer edge of the Solar System on the 5th of December 2011.

What distance does the International Telecommunication Union define as the start of deep space?

The International Telecommunication Union sets a boundary at 1 million kilometers from Earth's surface. That distance equals roughly 0.01 astronomical units.

Which propulsion method do scientists identify as the strongest candidate for future deep space engines?

Beamed propulsion using antimatter appears to be the strongest candidate available today. Scientists also identify nuclear fusion propulsion and laser systems as viable options for moving ships across vast distances.

How much funding did Mae Jemison receive from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in 2012?

Mae Jemison received $500,000 from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in 2012. Her project aimed to send future astronauts out of the Solar System.

Read the full story about Deep space exploration →