// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Solar System
Our Solar System consists of the Sun and all the celestial objects gravitationally bound to it, including planets, dwarf planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
The Solar System is the gravitationally bound system comprising the Sun and all the objects that orbit it, including eight planets, five recognized dwarf planets, over 200 moons, countless asteroids, comets, and other small bodies, all formed from a collapsing giant molecular cloud approximately 4.6 billion years ago.
BACKGROUND
Space-based solar power is the concept of collecting solar power in outer space with solar power satellites (SPS) and distributing it to Earth. Its advantages include a higher collection of energy due to the lack of reflection and absorption by the atmosphere, the possibility of very little night, and a better ability to orient to face the Sun. Space-based solar power systems convert sunlight to some other form of energy which can be transmitted through the atmosphere to receivers on the Earth's surface.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Our planetary system
- Sol system
- Sun's system
USAGE NOTE
Understanding the formation and evolution of our Solar System provides context for exoplanetary research.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Solar System.
A U.S. government agency responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics research, and space exploration, with numerous missions focused on exploring planets, moons, asteroids, and other celestial bodies within our Solar System.
An American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company focused on reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars, developing advanced rockets and spacecraft capable of Solar System exploration.
An intergovernmental organization of 22 member states dedicated to the exploration of space, including a wide range of scientific missions to study the Sun, Earth, other planets, and minor bodies in the Solar System.
An American privately funded aerospace manufacturer and sub-orbital spaceflight services company developing technologies to enable human access to space for various purposes, including lunar missions and future Solar System exploration.
Japan's national aerospace and space agency, conducting research and development in space exploration, including highly successful missions to asteroids (Hayabusa) and planetary science initiatives within the Solar System.
A major aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor that builds spacecraft for various missions, including deep space probes, planetary orbiters, and human exploration vehicles for agencies like NASA, directly contributing to Solar System exploration.
The national space agency of China responsible for the national space program, including ambitious missions to the Moon (Chang'e program) and Mars (Tianwen program), demonstrating significant capabilities in Solar System exploration.
An American space exploration company specializing in lunar access and exploration, developing and operating lunar landers and related technologies that enable scientific and commercial missions to the Moon, a key body within the Solar System.