Top 10 Fastest Spacecraft for Space Exploration

Parker Solar Probe - 1,112,946 km/h

The Parker Solar Probe is a NASA spacecraft designed to enter the solar atmosphere and directly measure the Sun's heat and energy while investigating solar phenomena such as solar wind and solar storms. Launched on August 12, 2018, the probe is approaching the Sun and is set to study its thermodynamic properties using various instruments until 2025. It is expected to make groundbreaking discoveries that expand our understanding of the Sun and the solar system.

Juno - 265,500 km/h

The Juno spacecraft, launched by NASA on August 5, 2011, is on a mission to explore Jupiter. Its objectives include studying Jupiter's internal structure, composition, atmosphere, and magnetic field. Juno entered orbit around Jupiter on July 5, 2016, and has been conducting various measurements for two years. The mission has been extended until September 2021.

Helios 2 - 252,792 km/h

Helios 2 holds the record for one of the fastest spacecraft speeds at 252,792 km/h (157,078 mph). Launched in January 1976, this German-French solar probe utilized the Sun’s gravity to achieve such high velocity. Helios 2 conducted research on solar magnetic fields, solar wind, and solar activity from 1976 to 1984, providing valuable data that greatly enhanced our understanding of the Sun.

Pioneer 10 - 132,000 km/h

Pioneer 10, launched in 2006, was equipped with machine learning and AI capabilities. It collected diverse data while exploring the solar system until 2015. Known for being one of the farthest-traveled spacecraft, it conducted investigations of the solar system's inner planets, the Sun’s imagery, and various types of radiation, aiding in the study of the Sun's structure and solar environment.

Pioneer 11 - 123,000 km/h

Pioneer 11, launched in 1973, was an American space probe with the mission of exploring the outer regions of the solar system, including up to Pluto's distance. It provided substantial information on planetary exploration and space environment.

 New Horizons - 58,536 km/h

New Horizons, launched by NASA on January 19, 2006, was tasked with exploring Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. It made its closest approach to Pluto on July 14, 2015, without entering its orbit, and continues to explore other Kuiper Belt objects, contributing significantly to the field of solar system exploration.

Voyager 1 - 62,140 km/h

Voyager 1, launched on September 5, 1977, by NASA, is the first spacecraft to leave the solar system and continue space exploration. As of 2022, it is about 2.3 billion miles away from Earth, traveling at approximately 10 billion miles per year.

 Voyager 2 - 56,880 km/h

Voyager 2, also launched by NASA in 1977, is exploring the outer regions of the solar system and major gas planets. As of December 2018, it is located 119 AU (1.78 billion km) from Earth, moving at about 55,000 km/h. It holds the record for traveling the greatest distance among spacecraft launched from Earth.

STEREO A/B - 41,840 km/h

STEREO A/B, launched in October 2006 by NASA, is designed for solar observation. Positioned in orbits that mirror Earth's orbit around the Sun, these spacecraft provide valuable data on solar phenomena like sunspots and solar wind, and study the impact of solar activity on Earth.

Newton - 7.9 km/h

The Newton spacecraft, an early British satellite launched on December 7, 1977, orbited Earth and returned on June 27, 1983. It was the first artificial satellite to study the interaction between space and Earth. Newton’s main mission was to observe solar plasma and measure solar wind properties. Despite its slow speed of 7.9 km/h, it carried scientific instruments like mass spectrometers and gas analyzers. It was relaunched in 1987 but initially achieved its slowest speed of 7.9 km/h.