Charting The Solar System

By Ben on October 13, 2009 at 2:08 pm | In Blog Posts | No Comments

interesting data visualization.
–Ben

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Ever Wonder What Every Space Mission From the Last 50 Years Looks Like on One Map?

Well, here it is. National Geographic has plotted the route of every space mission carried out over the last 50 years onto a map of the solar system, giving a nice visual look at the history of space travel.

Each line represents a different space mission, highlighting notable missions, including those from different countries, those of historical significance, and those which have failed. (The map doesn’t seem to make note of the recent LCROSS mission, where a rocket plowed into the moon to probe for water.)

Did you know there have been three more missions to Venus more than Mars (43 to 40)? Check out the whole thing for yourself here.

More at:

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2009-10/ever-wonder-what-every-space-mission-last-50-years-looks-one-map

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2445/4002050596_0c2b6c4dd2_o.jpg

This fascinating graphic by Sean McNaughton at National Geographic shows all interplanetary missions since the dawn of ths Space age.

Charting The Solar System

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