In July 1965, Mariner 4 became the first space probe to send back pictures of another world from space. Fifty years on, not only do several spacecraft orbit the same red planet, but there are also two active rovers on the Martian surface and new missions being prepared for launch.

There are also spacecraft in orbit around Mercury, Venus and Saturn, a lander on a comet, another on a distant moon, and that’s on top of the many space telescopes probing the depths of the cosmos.

As the festive season approaches and we think of far-flung friends, it’s worth spending a thought on those farthest flung of all – all in the name of science and our understanding of the Universe. Here then, for a truly spacey festive season, are our 12 missions of Christmas in order of increasing time spent away from our planet (note all distances are approximate averages):

#12: Hayabusa 2

Distance from home: Recently left Earth orbit

Time away: Three weeks

