| Spacecraft | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 1. Cassini-Huygens | Orbiting the Venus and transmitting data to the Earth |
| 2. Messenger | Mapping and investigating the Mercury |
| 3. Voyager 1 and 2 | Exploring the outer solar system |
The correct option is (b).
Space exploration missions are specifically designed with distinct scientific objectives, targeting particular celestial bodies or regions within and beyond the solar system to gather data on planetary atmospheres, surfaces, and magnetospheres.
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Cassini-Huygens mission was a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) sent to study the Saturnian system, including its rings and moons (specifically Titan). It was not designed to orbit Venus, although it performed flybys of Venus for gravity assists.
Statement 2 is Correct: The MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) spacecraft was a NASA robotic space probe that orbited the planet Mercury between 2011 and 2015. Its primary purpose was to map and investigate Mercury's chemical composition, geology, and magnetic field.
Statement 3 is Correct: Voyager 1 and 2 were launched by NASA in 1977 to explore the outer solar system. They conducted close flybys of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Both spacecraft have since entered interstellar space, continuing to transmit data about the heliosphere's outer limits.
Key Takeaway: Cassini-Huygens is associated with Saturn, MESSENGER with Mercury, and the Voyager program with the outer solar system and interstellar space.