Dawn (spacecraft)

Dawn is a NASA spacecraft launched in 2007 to study two of the asteroid belt’s most interesting bodies: Vesta and Ceres. It uses ion propulsion, which gradually accelerates it using charged particles, allowing for precise maneuvers and extended missions. Dawn’s goal is to analyze each body's surface, composition, and history, helping scientists understand how planets and asteroids formed and evolved. Its detailed observations provide insights into the early solar system and the processes that shaped planetary bodies, making it a significant mission for planetary science.