Probe

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Probe

1. Any device inserted in an environment for the purpose of obtaining information about the environment.

2. In geophysics, a device used to make a sounding.

3. Specifically, an instrumented vehicle moving through the upper atmosphere or space or landing upon another celestial body in order to obtain information about the specific environment.

In sense 3, almost any instrumented spacecraft can be considered a probe. However, earth satellites are not usually referred to as probes. Also, almost any instrumented rocket can be considered a probe. In practice, rockets which attain an altitude of less than 1 earth radius (400 miles) are called sounding rockets, those which attain an altitude of more that 1 earth radius are called probes or space probes. Spacecraft which enter into orbit around the sun are called deep-space probes. Spacecraft designed to pass near or land on another celestial body are often designated lunar probe, Martian probe, Venus probe, etc.

4. Specifically, a slender device or apparatus projected into a moving fluid, as for measurement purposes; a pitot tube.

5. Specifically, a slender projecting pipe on an aircraft which is thrust into a drogue to receive fuel in inflight refueling.

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use