The solar system

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Since the first edition appeared in 1990, planetology has experienced numerous discoveries that have enhanced our understanding of the Solar System, thanks to both ground- and space-based observational programs. Even failed space probe missions have contributed valuable information about the planetary environment. The Galileo probe, despite issues with its antenna, has delivered remarkable results, including the first images of asteroids like Gaspra and Ida, along with Ida's satellite, Dactyl. The probe's primary mission to drop an instrumented capsule into Jupiter's atmosphere for in-situ investigation is scheduled for late 1995. Saturn will be explored early next century with the Cassini mission, launching in 1997, which aims to study the planet and land the Huygens probe on Titan's surface. NASA's Magellan mission achieved significant success with detailed radar mapping and atmospheric studies. However, the exploration of Mars faced challenges, with failures in both the Soviet Phobos mission and NASA's Mars Observer probe. Despite these setbacks, plans for future collaborative exploration of Mars are underway, involving surface stations, possibly active rovers, surface penetrators, balloon probes, and orbiters.