{"id":309547,"date":"2019-06-18T14:55:55","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T18:55:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-447236"},"modified":"2023-12-28T15:39:30","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T20:39:30","slug":"discovery-program","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/planetarymissions\/discovery-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovery Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\"><div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-light hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>Planetary Missions Program Office<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 \"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\"><nav><ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\"><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/planetary-missions-program-office\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/planetarymissions\/planetary-mission-program-overview\/\">Overview<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Programs<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/discovery\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Discovery Program<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/programs\/new-frontiers\/\" rel=\"noopener\">New Frontiers Program<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/planetarymissions\/solar-system-exploration-program\/\">Solar System Exploration Program<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/planetarymissions\/lunar-surface-instrument-and-technology-payloads-lsitp\/\">Lunar Instruments & Payloads<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/planetarymissions\/planetary-missions-program-media-resources\/\">Media<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"usa-accordion__button usa-nav__link\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"basic-nav-section-one\"><span>Educational Resources<\/span><svg class=\"hds-desktop-submenu-toggle-icon display-none tablet:display-none desktop:display-block\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><svg class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon display-block tablet:display-block desktop:display-none\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"8\" cy=\"8\" r=\"7.5\" fill=\"#0B3D91\" stroke=\"white\"\/><rect x=\"4\" y=\"7.6001\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" fill=\"white\"\/><rect class=\"hds-mobile-submenu-toggle-icon-line-vertical\" x=\"7.59998\" y=\"12\" width=\"8\" height=\"0.8\" transform=\"rotate(-90 7.59998 12)\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><\/button><ul id=\"basic-nav-section-one\" class=\"usa-nav__submenu\" hidden><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www3.nasa.gov\/specials\/planetary-missions-guidebook\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Planetary Missions Interactive<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/stem\">NASA STEM Engagement<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/stem\/foreducators\/k-12\/index.html\">STEM Curriculum<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/solarsystem.nasa.gov\/kids\/do-it-yourself\/?page=0&per_page=40&order=created_at+desc&search=&category=139\" rel=\"noopener\">Solar System Exploration DIY Resources<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__submenu-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" target=\"_self\" href=\"http:\/\/marsatschool.ethz.ch\/en\/mission\/1\/index.html\" rel=\"noopener\">MARS@School<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-hero position-relative bg-carbon-black overflow-hidden width-full maxw-full grid-container display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify-center minh-tablet padding-y-9 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-hero\"><figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1217\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/edu-solar-system-large.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"Artist impression of objects in solar system.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 0% 55%; object-position: 0% 55%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/edu-solar-system-large.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/edu-solar-system-large.png?resize=300,238 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/edu-solar-system-large.png?resize=768,609 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/edu-solar-system-large.png?resize=1024,812 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/edu-solar-system-large.png?resize=1536,1217 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/edu-solar-system-large.png?resize=400,317 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/edu-solar-system-large.png?resize=600,476 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/edu-solar-system-large.png?resize=900,713 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/edu-solar-system-large.png?resize=1200,951 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top\"><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"hds-grid-container position-relative display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify-start width-full\">\n\t\t<div class=\"width-full maxw-tablet\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-7\">\n\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"display-72 font-weight-extrabold line-height-sm margin-bottom-2 color-spacesuit-white-important\">Discovery Program<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg margin-0 color-spacesuit-white-important\"><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-hero-stats\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"color-spacesuit-white-important label margin-bottom-2\"><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-row flex-align-center padding-right-2 desktop:padding-right-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stat-number line-height-sm color-nasa-blue-tint font-weight-thin font-mono-2xl\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"color-spacesuit-white-important grid-col padding-left-2 tablet:padding-left-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"stat-value line-height-md\"><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-row flex-align-center padding-right-2  desktop:padding-right-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col grid-col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"stat-number line-height-sm color-nasa-blue-tint font-weight-thin font-mono-2xl\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"color-spacesuit-white-important grid-col padding-left-2 tablet:padding-left-3 tablet:padding-left-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"stat-value line-height-md\"><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discovery Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA\u2019s Discovery Program gives scientists a chance to dig deep into their imaginations and find new ways to unlock the mysteries of our solar system. When it began in 1992, the program represented a breakthrough in the way NASA explores space. Discovery invites scientists and engineers to assemble a team to design exciting, focused planetary science missions that deepen what we know about the solar system and our place in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a complement to NASA\u2019s larger \u201cflagship\u201d planetary science explorations, our goal is to achieve outstanding results by launching more smaller missions using fewer resources and shorter development times. Our purpose is to deepen human understanding of the solar system by exploring the planets, their moons, and small bodies such as comets and asteroids. Discovery missions have achieved ground-breaking science, each taking a unique approach to space exploration, doing what\u2019s never been done before, and driving new technology innovations that may also improve life on Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The following missions have been selected under the Discovery Program.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"#Active\">Active<\/a>  |  <a href=\"#future\">Future<\/a> |  <a href=\"#Past\">Past<\/a><br>\n<strong><a><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Active<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/psyche_square.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/psyche_square.jpg?w=750\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Psyche spacecraft.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/psyche_square.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/psyche_square.jpg?resize=300,234 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/psyche_square.jpg?resize=400,312 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/psyche_square.jpg?resize=600,468 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/psyche.asu.edu\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Psyche<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch date: October 13, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Psyche mission will explore a giant metal-rich asteroid, known as 16 Psyche. This<br>asteroid measures about 130 miles in diameter and is about three times farther away<br>from the Sun than is the Earth. Unlike most other asteroids that are rocky or icy bodies,<br>Psyche appears to be the exposed nickel-iron core of a protoplanet. At Psyche,<br>scientists will explore, for the first time ever, a world made of one of the building blocks<br>of the Sun’s planetary system.<br>Psyche will use a multispectral imager to provide high-resolution images to discriminate<br>between different metal- and rock-based parts of the asteroid. It will use a gamma-ray<br>and neutron spectrometer (GRNS) to determine the elemental composition of the<br>asteroid. Psyche will use a magnetometer to measure and map the asteroid\u2019s magnetic<br>field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jpl.nasa.gov\/news\/veritas-exploring-the-deep-truths-of-venus\" rel=\"noopener\">VERITAS<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch date: 2031-2032 timeframe<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy, or<br>VERITAS, mission will map Venus\u2019 surface to determine the planet\u2019s geologic history<br>and understand why it developed so differently than Earth. Orbiting Venus with a<br>synthetic aperture radar, VERITAS will chart surface elevations over nearly the entire<br>planet to create 3D reconstructions of topography and confirm whether processes such<br>as plate tectonics and volcanism are still active on Venus.<br>VERITAS also will map infrared emissions from Venus\u2019 surface to map its rock type,<br>which is largely unknown, and determine whether active volcanoes are releasing water<br>vapor into the atmosphere. The German Aerospace Center will provide the infrared<br>mapper with the Italian Space Agency and France\u2019s Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales<br>contributing to the radar and other parts of the mission.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lro-square.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lro-square.jpg?w=750\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"LRO\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lro-square.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lro-square.jpg?resize=300,234 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lro-square.jpg?resize=400,312 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lro-square.jpg?resize=600,468 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Envision: VenSAR<br><\/strong>EnVision is a Venus orbiter mission that will focus on investigation of the planet surface,<br>interior and atmosphere and their interactions, helping to understand why Earth\u2019s<br>nearest neighbor has evolved so differently, addressing the Cosmic Vision top level<br>science themes \u201cWhat are the conditions for planet formation and the emergence of<br>life?\u201d and \u201cHow does the Solar System work?\u201d.<br>The mission top level science questions are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>How have the surface and interior of Venus evolved?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How geologically active is Venus?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How are Venus’ atmosphere & climate shaped by geological processes?<br>EnVision payload includes 6 instruments or experiments. NASA will contribute a dual<br>polarization S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (VenSAR) with a ~6m by 1 m deployable<br>reflectarray antenna to image selected target regions on the surface at 30 and 10<br>meters\/pixel resolution, provide global topography from stereo imaging and altimetry,<br>investigate surface properties from polarimetric and radiometric measurements, and<br>search for surface changes due to volcanic, tectonic, and aeolian activity.<br>The additional instruments are a suite of three spectrometers, VenSpec-M, VenSpec-U<br>and VenSpec-H, a Subsurface Radar Sounder (SRS), and a Radio Science Experiment<br>(RSE).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lucy-square.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lucy-square.jpg?w=750\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Lucy spacecraft\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lucy-square.jpg 750w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lucy-square.jpg?resize=300,234 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lucy-square.jpg?resize=400,312 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lucy-square.jpg?resize=600,468 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/content\/goddard\/lucy-the-first-mission-to-jupiter-s-trojans\">Lucy<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch date: October, 2021<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lucy will visit a unique family of asteroids that orbit the Sun in front of and behind<br>Jupiter that may hold vital clues to deciphering the history of the Solar System.<br>One of the most puzzling characteristics of these asteroids is that they are very different<br>from one another. Understanding the causes of the differences will provide unique and<br>critical knowledge on planetary origins, the source of volatiles, organics of terrestrial<br>planets, and the evolution of our planetary system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SERENA \u2013 BepiColombo \u2013 Cosmos<\/strong> (esa.int)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch date: October 20, 2018<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Strofio is a special mass spectrometer which was developed and optimized to investigate<br>Mercury\u2019s tenuous gas envelope, called an exosphere, which Mercury has instead of an<br>atmosphere like Earth. This has been difficult in the past, but Strofio is able to detect rare<br>chemical particles that will answer many questions about the planet closest to the Sun.<br>Scientists believe Mercury\u2019s exosphere is composed of atoms that evaporate from the<br>surface of Mercury due to solar wind, meteoroid strikes, and other processes. Data<br>collected from Strofio will enable scientists to characterize and better understand the<br>process that formed Mercury\u2019s exosphere itself and the short and long-term effects of<br>material evaporation on the surface composition of Mercury. Strofio is part of the SERENA<br>suite of instruments that flies on board the European Space Agency\u2019s<br>BepiColombo\/Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) spacecraft. BepiColombo\/MPO is currently<br>in the middle of a 7-year journey to Mercury and is scheduled to arrive in December of<br>2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"http:\/\/megane.jhuapl.edu\" rel=\"noopener\">MEGANE<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch date: September, 2024<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The MEGANE (\u201ceyeglasses\u201d in Japanese ) spectrometer instrument will give the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency\u2019s Mars Moons eXploration (MMX) mission the ability to \u201csee\u201d the elemental composition of the Martian moon Phobos by measuring gamma rays and neutrons. MMX is a Discovery Program \u201cmission of opportunity\u201d selection, which give the U.S. science community a chance to participate in non-NASA missions as well as the possibility to use an existing NASA spacecraft for a new science investigation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/LRO\/main\/index.html\">Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch date: June 18, 2009<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>LRO is a robotic spacecraft that set out to map the lunar surface. As our nearest neighbor, the Moon is a natural laboratory for exploring fundamental questions about the origin and evolution of the Earth and the solar system. After a year of exploration, the mission was extended with a unique set of science objectives. LRO observations have enabled numerous groundbreaking discoveries, creating a new picture of the Moon as a dynamic and complex body, lighting the way for mankind\u2019s return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pneumatic-Sampler (MMX)<\/strong><br><em>Launch date: September 2024<br><\/em>The P-SAMPLER (PSMP) instrument is a follow on of the LPV instrument flying to the<br>moon on the 19D mission. The PSMP instrument is flying on the MMX spacecraft and<br>will be collecting regolith samples from the surface of Phobos, one of the Martian Moons<br>after the MMX craft lands on the surface. The sample will be collected from the top few<br>millimeters of Phobos. After the sample is collected it will be transferred to a sample<br>container and returned to Earth for further analysis designed to determine the origins of<br>Phobos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h4>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg?w=1600\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"This image of Venus is a composite of data from NASA's Magellan spacecraft and Pioneer Venus Orbiter.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg 1600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/imagesvenus20191211venus20191211-16.jpeg?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/2021\/nasa-to-explore-divergent-fate-of-earth-s-mysterious-twin-with-goddard-s-davinci\">DAVINCI+<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch date: 2028-2030 timeframe<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u200bDeep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging, or DAVINCI+, mission will measure the composition of Venus\u2019 atmosphere to understand how it formed and evolved, as well as determine whether the planet ever had an ocean. The mission consists of a descent sphere that will plunge through the planet\u2019s thick atmosphere, making precise measurements of noble gases and other elements to understand why Venus\u2019 atmosphere is a runaway hothouse compared the Earth\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, DAVINCI+ will return the first high resolution pictures of the unique geological features on Venus known as \u201ctesserae,\u201d which may be comparable to Earth\u2019s continents, suggesting that Venus has plate tectonics. This would be the first U.S.-led mission to Venus\u2019 atmosphere since 1978, and the results from DAVINCI+ could reshape our understanding of terrestrial planet formation in our solar system and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"#top\">\u203a Back to Top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Past<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch Date: February 17, 1996<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NEAR was the first spacecraft to orbit and land on an asteroid, specifically the asteroid designated 433 EROS. It was originally scheduled to achieve orbit around 433 EROS in January 1999, however a problem caused an abort and the mission was rescoped for a Dec. 1998 flyby and a later encounter and orbit Feb. 14, 2000. A little over a year after establishing orbit, it successfully performed a controlled four-hour descent to the surface of 433 EROS on Feb. 12, 2001.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During it\u2019s five-year flight, NEAR traveled nearly two million miles. It collected 10 times more data than originally planned, including a detailed shape-model of the asteroid, radar, laser, X-Ray, gamma-ray, and infrared data, as well as <a href=\"http:\/\/near.jhuapl.edu\/media\/index.html\" rel=\"noopener\">nearly 160,000 images<\/a> covering all 21 miles of the asteroid\u2019s terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mars Pathfinder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch Date: December 4, 1996<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mars Pathfinder arrived at Mars on July 4, 1997, using a new airbag technology to cushion the landing. From landing until the final data transmission on Sept. 27, 1997, Pathfinder returned 2.3 billion bits of information, including more than 16,500 images from the lander and 550 from the rover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pathfinder lived up to its name by paving the way for future NASA Mars rovers, including the Mars Exploration rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, which used similar airbag technology to land in January 2004, and Curiosity, which landed in August 2012 utilizing a daring and innovative sky crane technology. Opportunity and Curiosity continue operating on the surface of Mars and returning data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pathfinder was the first rover to land on another planet and the first rover on Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lunar Prospector<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch Date: January 6, 1998<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lunar Prospector was designed for a low polar orbit investigation of the Moon, including mapping of surface composition and possible polar ice deposits, measurements of magnetic and gravity fields, and study of lunar outgassing events. Data from the nineteen-month mission allowed construction of a detailed map of the surface composition of the Moon, and improved our understanding of the origin, evolution, current state, and resources of the Moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stardust<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch Date: February 7, 1999<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following a journey of 3.2 billion kilometer (2 billion miles) in just under five years, Stardust was the first spacecraft to make a close encounter with comet Wild-2 and return samples to Earth. Stardust made its flyby on Jan. 2, 2004 at a distance of 300 kilometers and at a relative speed of 21,960 kilometers per hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It made history again on Jan. 15, 2006 by entering Earth\u2019s atmosphere at 28,860 miles per hour, making it the fastest reentry o any human-made object (the previous record was held by the Apollo 10 command module in May 1969.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In August of 2009, it was announced that scientists had discovered glycine \u2013 a fundamental building block of life \u2013 in the samples returned from Wild-2 returned by Stardust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Genesis<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch Date: August 8, 2001<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Genesis orbiter spacecraft was designed to gain a better understanding of our cosmic origins by collecting solar wind samples and return them to Earth for study. It consisted of plasma spectrometers, several sample collection arrays, and a sample return capsule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Nov. 16, 2001, Genesis entered a halo orbit \u2013 an orbit around an empty fixed point in space \u2013 approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, where it began to collect samples of our sun\u2019s solar wind for 850 days. It reentered the Earth\u2019s atmosphere Sept. 8, 2004 at a speed of 24,706 miles per hour. Unfortunately, neither the drogue or main parachutes deployed which caused the capsule to impact the surface at a speed of 193 miles per hour cause significant damage to the capsule and a breach of the science canister in the field. Thankfully, the collection team were able to salvage the collection samples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2008, scientists announced that the patter of oxygen isotopes on the Sun differ greatly from Earth\u2019s, opening many more areas of study in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CONTOUR<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch Date: July 3, 2002<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CONTOUR (COmet Nucleus TOUR) intended to visit and study two comets, but contact lost after an engine burn. An investigation determined that overheating during the burn caused the spacecraft to break apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">MESSENGER<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch Date: August 3, 2004<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging\u2013better known as MESSENGER\u2013orbited Mercury for more than four years, but not before doing two flybys of Venus and three flybys of Mercury as well. The mission was designed to help answer six questions about Mercury:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Why is Mercury so dense??<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is the geologic history of Mercury?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is the nature of Mercury\u2019s magnetic field?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is the structure of Mercury\u2019s core?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are the unusual materials at Mercury\u2019s poles?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What volatiles are important at Mercury?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>After more than ten years in service, MESSENGER ended its mission on April 30, 2015 in a dramatic fashion by making a dive from orbit directly into the surface of Mercury traveling at more than 8,750 miles per hour. Despite how this sounds, this was a planned event meeting mission parameters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MESSENGER was a highly successful and difficult mission replete with many high-precision planetary gravity assists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deep Impact<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch Date: January 12, 2005<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deep Impact is history\u2019s most traveled deep-space comet hunter. As the name suggests, the mission was to send an \u201cimpactor\u201d probe which would collide with Comet Tempel 1 on July 3, 2005. The flyby spacecraft continued to stay nearby to collect and analyze the materials ejected from the impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deep Impact was a relatively short mission in terms of overall time: Its final images were transmitted from the flyby spacecraft in Aug. 2005, but the data continues to be analyzed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dawn<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch Date: September 27, 2007<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dawn was the first mission to visit Ceres and Vesta\u2013the two largest objects in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Dawn was the first space mission to orbit two separate destinations. It was also the first to use solar-electric propulsion achieving velocities of up to 25,700 miles per hour (nearly equal to the velocity provided by the Delta launch vehicle).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dawn orbited Vesta for more than a year from July 2011 to Sept. 2012 and returned tons of data for analysis. Dawn then moved on and entered Ceres\u2019 orbit in March 2015. Ceres is the inner solar system\u2019s only dwarf planet and revealed itself to be an ocean world where water and ammonia reacted with silicate rocks. Most significantly, Dawn discovered organics in several location on Ceres\u2019 surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kepler<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch Date: March 7, 2009<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The scientific objective of the Kepler Mission is to explore the structure and diversity of planetary systems. This is achieved by surveying a large sample of stars to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Determine the percentage of terrestrial and larger planets that are in or near the habitable zone of a wide variety of stars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Determine the distribution of sizes and shapes of the orbits of these planets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Estimate how many planets there are in multiple-star systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Determine the variety of orbit sizes and planet reflectivities, sizes, masses and densities of short-period giant planets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify additional members of each discovered planetary system using other techniques<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Determine the properties of those stars that harbor planetary systems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The mission was designed to last three-and-a-half years and it would focus the spacecraft\u2019s primary instrument, the photometer, at a single star field in the Cygnus-Lyra region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kepler left behind a legacy of more than <a href=\"https:\/\/exoplanets.nasa.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">2,600 planet discoveries<\/a> (and counting) from outside our solar system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GRAIL<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch date: September 10, 2011<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Short for Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory, the GRAIL mission flew twin spacecraft\u2013Ebb and Flow\u2013in tandem around the Moon. The mission of Ebb and Flow was to map lunar gravity and use that information to increase understanding of the Moon\u2019s interior and thermal history. This is similar to the <a href=\"http:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/grace\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission<\/a> which has been mapping Earth\u2019s gravity since 2002.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the two spacecraft fly over areas of greater and lesser gravity, caused both by visible features such as mountains and craters and by masses hidden beneath the lunar surface, they will move slightly toward and away from each other. An instrument aboard each spacecraft will measure the changes in their relative velocity very precisely and scientists will translate this information into a high-resolution map of the Moon\u2019s gravitational field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ebb and Flow ended their mission on Dec. 17, 2012 with a controlled crash into the lunar surface. Their final contribution was to create a cloud of dust and gas which researchers could use to discover more about the moon\u2019s composition.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2-insight_illo_rise_short_cap-not_for_pj.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"985\" height=\"554\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2-insight_illo_rise_short_cap-not_for_pj.jpg?w=985\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"This annotated artists concept of NASAs InSight lander on Mars points out the antennas on the spacecrafts deck.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2-insight_illo_rise_short_cap-not_for_pj.jpg 985w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2-insight_illo_rise_short_cap-not_for_pj.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2-insight_illo_rise_short_cap-not_for_pj.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2-insight_illo_rise_short_cap-not_for_pj.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2-insight_illo_rise_short_cap-not_for_pj.jpg?resize=600,337 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2-insight_illo_rise_short_cap-not_for_pj.jpg?resize=900,506 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 985px) 100vw, 985px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/mission_pages\/insight\/main\/index.html\">InSight<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Launch date: May 5, 2018<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>InSight, short for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport, is a Mars lander exploring the deep interior of Mars. It is the first outer space robotic explorer to study in-depth the \u201cinner space\u201d of Mars: its crust, mantle and core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lander uses cutting edge instruments, to delve deep beneath the surface and seek the fingerprints of the processes that formed the terrestrial planets. It does so by measuring the planet\u2019s \u201cvital signs\u201d: its \u201cpulse\u201d (seismology), \u201ctemperature\u201d (heat flow), and \u201creflexes\u201d (precision tracking). Studying Mars\u2019 interior structure answers key questions about the early formation of rocky planets in our inner solar system \u2013 Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars \u2013 more than four billion years ago, as well as rocky exoplanets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"#top\">\u203a Back to Top<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discovery Program NASA\u2019s Discovery Program gives scientists a chance to dig deep into their imaginations and find new ways to unlock the mysteries of our solar system. When it began in 1992, the program represented a breakthrough in the way NASA explores space. Discovery invites scientists and engineers to assemble a team to design exciting, [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":310914,"parent":323053,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[3327,3795],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[8391],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"Discovery Program","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/planetarymissions\/discovery-program\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/planetarymissions\/discovery-program\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lro-square.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lro-square.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA Directorates","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Lee Mohon"}],"creator":["Lee Mohon"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Science Mission Directorate","Planetary Science Division","Discovery Program"],"dateCreated":"2019-06-18T18:55:55Z","datePublished":"2019-06-18T18:55:55Z","dateModified":"2023-12-28T20:39:30Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Discovery Program\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/planetarymissions\/discovery-program\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"index\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lro-square.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2019-06-18T18:55:55Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Directorates\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Science Mission Directorate,Planetary Science Division,Discovery Program\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Lee Mohon\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":14,"time_ago":"5 years","featured_image":{"id":310914,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/lro-square.jpg","title":"lro-square","alt":"LRO","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/309547"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/topic"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/309547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":586284,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/309547\/revisions\/586284"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/323053"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/310914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=309547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=309547"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=309547"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=309547"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=309547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}