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Glite Dictionary
space probe

space probe

11 4.2
A machine sent into space without people to study planets and send information back
  • noun
  • /speɪs proʊb/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sonda espacial
  • Russian authorities have announced plans to deploy a space probe to photograph the mysterious transmitter.
  • an unmanned space probe
  • Voyager space probes

So it's the, it's the least explored planet because of how hostile it is to our space probes.

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Examples

  • The space probe successfully transmitted images from the surface of Mars.

  • And in there I discovered that all the space probe data exist in this online platform.

  • You realize that a Hollywood movie about Mars cost more than an actual space probe that goes to Mars?

  • Now, in recent years, there've been these space probes going out trying to measure the radiation.

  • Curiosity is a robotic space probe mission to Mars launched by NASA on Nov. 26, 2011.

    Blog text (29)

  • The Voyager 2 space probe was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 20, 1977.

    Academic text (2001)

  • In the fall of this year, NASA will launch the Mars Observer—the first space probe to investigate Mars since 1976.

    Academic text (1993)

  • The American deep space probe Omega Six, due to return to earth this weekend, has unexpectedly re-entered Earth's atmosphere over south-east England and broken apart over what's believed to be a populated area.

    Shaun of the Dead (2004)

  • NASA's latest space probe will gather data on distant galaxies.

  • Scientists are excited about the data that the space probe will send back after its mission.

Synonyms

spacecraft
vsspace probe
  • Specialized
165 4.2

A vehicle that travels in outer space

is unmanned and meant for scientific exploration beyond Earth's atmosphere
space vehicle
vsspace probe
  • Specialized
4 3.5

A machine built to travel in outer space, like a spacecraft or satellite

is narrower, unmanned and focused on gathering scientific information

How Far

space probe
  • Specialized
11 4.2
satellite
  • Specialized
608 3.5
sounding rocket
  • Specialized
7.5
balloon
190 1.0

Surface Forms

space probe singular
space probes plural

Morphology

space + probe

The meaning 'an unmanned spacecraft designed to explore outer space' is directly derivable from combining 'space' (the cosmos) with 'probe' (a device for exploring or sampling); the compound simply specifies a probe whose domain is space. The slight shift from a general exploratory device to a spacecraft is a predictable extension and similar compounds exist cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words should grasp the meaning.

Etymology

Space probe comes from the word probe, a long tool doctors and scientists use to 'examine' things closely. Imagine sending that examining tool out into the sky to look at other worlds—so a space probe is a craft sent 'without people' to study planets and send back information.