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A space probe is an unmanned spacecraft designed to gather information from outer space and transmit it back to Earth. These probes are given enough velocity to escape Earth's gravitational pull. They can be sent beyond the Earth-Moon system, in which case they are called deep-space probes, or specifically to explore other planets, then being termed planetary probes.

Space probes have been instrumental in exploring planets like Venus and Mars, providing crucial data about their atmospheres and surfaces. Early missions, such as the Soviet Luna probes and the U.S. Mariner series, began this exploration, paving the way for more advanced missions like the Voyager probes that studied Jupiter and Saturn. These probes are equipped with various subsystems, including power, propulsion, communication, and attitude control, to function in the harsh environment of space.12

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