The topic of this essay is space exploration. In this essay you will write about various past, present, and/or future planned missions into outer space.

Here is what you will need to do. There are four categories of space missions listed below. For each category you will need to research two types of space missions and write a paragraph about each space mission. There are four categories x two space missions from each category = 8 space missions total (8 paragraphs).

Listed below are the four categories of space missions and two examples of missions (there are many, many more space missions than the two examples listed for each). Also note that countries other than the United States and Russia have sent missions into space.

1. Manned Space Missions (Apollo 11, Space Shuttle STS-112)

2. Unmanned Planetary Landers (Venera, Phoenix)

3. Unmanned Planetary/Lunar Orbiters (Examples: Juno, Cassini)

4. Unmanned Planetary Fly-by Probes (Examples: New Horizons, Voyager 1 & 2)

Here is what you will need to do for each of your eight space missions. For each mission write a lengthy paragraph describing the mission. You will need to include:

a. When the mission was launched and how long the mission lasted (1 point)

b. What nation and space agency was responsible for the mission. (1 point)

c. Where the space mission went to. (1 point)

d. What the purpose of the space mission was and any discoveries that were made. You need to have an in-depth discussion of what the purpose, goals, and major discoveries and accomplishments of the mission were (5 points)

e. Make sure that the paragraph is well organized with a topic sentence and body sentences, clearly written, and free from any grammar or spelling errors (2 points)

In your essay make sure you have an introductory paragraph and make sure to cite any and all sources you use from the Internet. Wikipedia will not be counted as a source.