A lander is a spacecraft that descends towards, then comes to rest on the surface of an astronomical body other than Earth. In contrast to an impact probe, which makes a hard landing that damages or destroys the probe upon reaching the surface, a lander makes a soft landing after which the probe remains functional.
The lunar surface through the Apollo 16 Lunar Module window shortly after landing
Surveyor 3 on the Moon
Surface of Saturn's moon Titan as seen by the Huygens probe after landing in 2005
The collision of comet 9P/Tempel and the Deep Impact probe
A spacecraft is a vehicle that is designed to fly in outer space and operate there. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, Earth observation, meteorology, navigation, space colonization, planetary exploration, and transportation of humans and cargo. All spacecraft except single-stage-to-orbit vehicles cannot get into space on their own, and require a launch vehicle.
More than 140 Soviet and Russian crewed Soyuz spacecraft (TMA version shown) have flown since 1967 and now support the International Space Station.
The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union
Apollo 17 Command Module America in lunar orbit
American Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft
