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Last Updated:
2024-10-27 07:19:25

NASA

US federal agency for space exploration
NASA
NASA
US federal agency for space exploration

NASA, established in 1958, leads American space exploration. It focuses on civil space program, aeronautics, and space research. NASA's projects include Apollo Moon landing missions, Skylab, Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Orion spacecraft, and Space Launch System. It also conducts Earth Observing System, heliophysics research, Solar System exploration, and astrophysics research. The agency oversees launch operations for uncrewed missions.

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1915-03-03
Creation of NACA

The US Congress created the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) on March 3, 1915. NACA was the precursor to NASA and played a significant role in aeronautical research.

1940-11-25
NACA announces new laboratory in Cleveland

The NACA announces the construction of a new laboratory in Cleveland on November 25, 1940.

1941-01-23
Groundbreaking Ceremony at NACA's Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory

The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) holds a groundbreaking ceremony at the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL) in Cleveland, which later contributes significantly to World War II efforts.

1942-12-01
E. Raymond Sharp named laboratory manager

E. Raymond Sharp was officially named the laboratory manager of AERL on December 1, 1942.

1943-03-17
First research flight with a Martin B-26

The first research flight with a Martin B-26 took place on March 17, 1943.

1943-05-20
AERL dedication ceremony

The dedication ceremony of the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL) was held on May 20, 1943.

1944
Women work in the Fabrication Shop of AERL during World War II

During World War II in 1944, women were recruited to work in the Fabrication Shop of the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL) to replace male employees serving in the military. They were trained in technical positions.

1945-06
Lab's first supersonic wind tunnel begins operation

In June 1945, the lab's first supersonic wind tunnel began operation.

1945-10
Major reorganization of AERL to focus on jet propulsion

In October 1945, the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL) underwent a major reorganization to focus on jet propulsion.

1946-10-24
V-2 No. 13: First Photo of Earth from Space

The White Sands rocket, a modified German V-2 missile, captured the first man-made photo of Earth from outer space.

1948
Lab renamed to NACA Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory

In 1948, in honor of George Lewis, the lab's name was changed to NACA Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory.

1949-04-03
8-by-6 Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel begins operation

On April 3, 1949, the 8-by-6 Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel began operation at the lab. Additionally, the first sponsored rocket testing for the Navy was conducted.

1950
Perfection of New Water Droplet System for Icing Research Tunnel

In 1950, a new water droplet system for the Icing Research Tunnel was perfected at the Lewis Research Center, aiding in research on aircraft icing.

1951
Initiation of Transonic Compressor Research

In 1951, transonic compressor research was initiated at the Lewis Research Center, marking a significant advancement in aeronautical engineering.

1954
First Firing of a Liquid Hydrogen-Oxygen Engine

The Lewis Research Center witnessed the first firing of a liquid hydrogen-oxygen engine in 1954, a milestone in propulsion technology.

1955
Neil Armstrong Begins NASA Career as Test Pilot

In 1955, Neil Armstrong started his NASA career as a test pilot at the Lewis Research Center, laying the foundation for his future achievements as an astronaut.

1956
Groundbreaking for Plum Brook Reactor Facility

The NACA broke ground for the Plum Brook Reactor facility in 1956, a significant step in advancing nuclear research for space exploration.

1957-10-04
Sputnik Launch

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space, marking the beginning of the space age.

1958-01-31
Explorer 1 Satellite Launch

Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the United States in 1958. It was sent into orbit by the Jupiter C rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

1958-02-01
Vanguard 1 Earth Orbiter

On February 1, 1958, the Earth Orbiter Vanguard 1 was launched.

1958-03-17
Pioneer 0 Earth Orbiter

Pioneer 0, an Earth Orbiter, was launched on March 17, 1958.

1958-04-02
Congress Tasked to Create Space Agency

On April 2, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower urged Congress to create an agency for civilian scientific space exploration. This call was a response to the Soviet Union's progress in space technology, especially after the Sputnik missions in 1957.

1958-07-29
National Aeronautics and Space Act

On July 29, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Act was established, laying the foundation for the formation of NASA and shaping the future of space exploration.

1958-07-29
Establishment of NASA by President Eisenhower

On July 29, 1958, President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, officially establishing NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

1958-08-17
Luna 1958A Attempted Lunar Orbit (Launch Failure)

On August 17, 1958, Luna 1958A was launched with an attempted lunar orbit, but it ended in a launch failure.

1958-09-23
Pioneer 1 Attempted Lunar Impact? (Launch Failure)

Pioneer 1 was launched on September 23, 1958, with an attempted lunar impact, but unfortunately, it resulted in a launch failure.

1958-10-01
NASA Established

NASA was established on October 1, 1958, in response to early Soviet space achievements. It became the focal point for U.S. civil aerospace research and development, accelerating work on human and robotic spaceflight.

1958-10-11
NASA's First Satellite Pioneer 1 launched

NASA launches Pioneer 1, the agency's first spacecraft inherited from the U.S. Army. It was meant to study the moon's surface but encountered a mechanical problem limiting its data transmission.

1958-10-12
Pioneer 2 Attempted Lunar Impact? (Launch Failure)

On October 12, 1958, Pioneer 2 was launched with an attempted lunar impact, but it faced a launch failure.

1958-11-08
Luna 1958C Attempted Lunar Orbit (Launch Failure)

Luna 1958C was launched on November 8, 1958, with an attempted lunar orbit, but unfortunately, it ended in a launch failure.

1958-12-04
Pioneer 3 Attempted Lunar Impact? (Launch Failure)

Pioneer 3 was launched on December 4, 1958, with an attempted lunar impact, but it resulted in a launch failure.

1958-12-06
Attempted Lunar Flyby (Launch Failure)

An attempt to fly by the moon was made, but the launch was unsuccessful.

1959-01-02
Lunar Flyby (Attempted Lunar Impact?)

A spacecraft attempted to fly by the moon, possibly with the intention of impacting it.

1959-03-03
Launch of Pioneer 4

On March 3, 1959, the United States launched Pioneer 4 with the objective of photographing the Moon from a close distance.

1959-04-09
Introduction of the First American Astronauts - Mercury 7

NASA introduces the Mercury 7, the first American astronauts, at a press conference in Washington. These military test pilots underwent rigorous examinations before being selected.

1959-06-16
Attempted Lunar Impact? (Launch Failure)

An attempted lunar impact mission failed to launch successfully.

1959-08-07
Explorer 6 Transmits First U.S. Satellite Photo of Earth

Explorer 6, equipped with a photocell scanner, sent back a primitive image of Earth's surface and cloud cover from a distance of 17,000 miles. This marked the first photograph taken by a U.S. satellite, showing a crescent shape of the planet in sunlight.

1959-09-12
Lunar Impact

The Luna 3 mission successfully impacted the moon.

1959-10-04
Lunar Flyby

Pioneer P-3 conducted a successful flyby of the moon.

1959-11-26
Attempted Lunar Orbiter (Launch Failure)

An attempt to orbit the moon failed due to launch failure in the Luna 1960A mission.

1960-04-01
Launch of First Weather Satellite TIROS 1

NASA launches the first weather satellite, TIROS 1, in 1960. This satellite was a significant advancement in meteorological observations from space.

1960-04-15
Attempted Lunar Flyby (Launch Failure)

An unsuccessful attempt to fly by the moon was made in the Luna 1960B mission.

1960-04-18
Pioneer P-30 Lunar Flyby Attempt (Launch Failure)

On April 18, 1960, the Pioneer P-30 spacecraft attempted a lunar flyby but the launch ended in failure.

1960-08-12
Launch of ECHO 1 Communications Satellite

NASA launches ECHO 1, the first communications satellite. Echo was a passive satellite that reflected radio and radar signals. Scientists used it to study the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere.

1960-09-25
Mars 1960A Lunar Orbiter Attempt (Launch Failure)

On September 25, 1960, the Mars 1960A spacecraft attempted a lunar orbiter mission but the launch was unsuccessful.

1960-10-10
Mars 1960B Mars Flyby Attempt (Launch Failure)

The Mars 1960B spacecraft attempted a Mars flyby on October 10, 1960, but the launch resulted in failure.

1960-10-14
Pioneer P-31 Mars Flyby Attempt (Launch Failure)

Pioneer P-31 attempted a Mars flyby on October 14, 1960, but unfortunately, the launch was unsuccessful.

1960-12-15
Sputnik 7 Lunar Orbiter Attempt (Launch Failure)

On December 15, 1960, the Sputnik 7 spacecraft attempted a lunar orbiter mission but the launch ended in failure.

1961-02-04
Venera 1 Venus Impact Attempt

Venera 1 made an attempted Venus impact on February 4, 1961.

1961-02-12
Ranger 1 Venus Flyby (Contact Lost)

On February 12, 1961, Ranger 1 attempted a Venus flyby but contact was lost during the mission.

1961-05-05
Alan Shepard Becomes First American in Space

Alan Shepard makes a 15-minute suborbital flight, becoming the first American in space.

1961-05-20
Project Apollo Presentation

President John F. Kennedy presented Project Apollo to Congress on May 20, 1961, aiming to land humans on the moon before the Soviets, marking a significant milestone in the space race.

1961-05-25
President Kennedy Announces Moon Landing Goal

President Kennedy announces the goal of landing a man on the Moon before the end of the decade. This ambitious challenge led to NASA's focused efforts towards achieving a lunar landing.

1961-08-23
Ranger 2 Lunar Test Flight Attempt

Ranger 2 made an attempted lunar test flight on August 23, 1961.

1961-11-18
Attempted Lunar Test Flight of Ranger 3

On November 18, 1961, the spacecraft Ranger 3 attempted a lunar test flight.

1962-01-26
Attempted Lunar Impact of Ranger 4

On January 26, 1962, the spacecraft Ranger 4 attempted a lunar impact mission.

1962-02-20
John Glenn Orbits Earth

John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962, completing three orbits and showcasing American progress in space exploration.

1962-04-23
Lunar Impact of Mariner 1

On April 23, 1962, the spacecraft Mariner 1 successfully impacted the moon.

1962-07-10
Start of the Space Communications Industry

NASA launched the communications satellite Telstar I, the first active communications satellite, which was also the first satellite launched for a private company, AT&T. Telstar relayed the first publicly available transatlantic TV signal, showcasing iconic landmarks and events, including remarks by President Kennedy.

1962-07-22
Attempted Venus Flyby (Launch Failure) of Sputnik 19

On July 22, 1962, the spacecraft Sputnik 19 failed to launch for a Venus flyby mission.

1962-08-25
Attempted Venus Flyby of Mariner 2

On August 25, 1962, the spacecraft Mariner 2 attempted a Venus flyby mission.

1962-08-27
Venus Flyby of Sputnik 20

On August 27, 1962, the spacecraft Sputnik 20 successfully completed a Venus flyby mission.

1962-09-01
Attempted Venus Flyby of Sputnik 21

On September 1, 1962, the spacecraft Sputnik 21 attempted a Venus flyby mission.

1962-09-12
Attempted Venus Flyby of Ranger 5

On September 12, 1962, the spacecraft Ranger 5 attempted a Venus flyby mission.

1962-10-18
Attempted Lunar Impact of Sputnik 22

On October 18, 1962, the spacecraft Sputnik 22 attempted a lunar impact mission.

1962-12-14
Mariner 2 Flies by Venus

Mariner 2 spacecraft passes by Venus, marking the first space mission to closely study another planet. The mission revealed that Venus lacked a magnetic field.

1964-02-19
Attempted Venus Flyby (Launch Failure) Venera 1964B

On February 19, 1964, the Venera 1964B mission attempted a Venus flyby but faced a launch failure.

1964-03-01
Attempted Venus Flyby (Launch Failure) Luna 1964A

On March 1, 1964, the Luna 1964A mission attempted a Venus flyby but encountered a launch failure.

1964-03-21
Attempted Lunar Lander (Launch Failure) Cosmos 27

On March 21, 1964, the Cosmos 27 mission aimed to land on the moon but faced a launch failure.

1964-03-27
Attempted Venus Flyby Zond 1

On March 27, 1964, the Zond 1 mission attempted a Venus flyby.

1964-04-02
Venus Flyby (Contact Lost) Luna 1964B

On April 2, 1964, the Luna 1964B mission successfully completed a Venus flyby but lost contact afterwards.

1964-04-20
Attempted Lunar Lander (Launch Failure) Zond 1964A

On April 20, 1964, the Zond 1964A mission attempted a lunar landing but faced a launch failure.

1964-06-04
Attempted Lunar Lander (Launch Failure) Ranger 7

On June 4, 1964, the Ranger 7 mission attempted a lunar landing but encountered a launch failure.

1964-07-28
Ranger 7 Mission to the Moon

Ranger 7 was NASA's first successful mission to reach the Moon, launching on July 28, 1964, and returning 4,316 images of the Moon on July 31st.

1964-09
Opening of Electronics Research Center (ERC)

The Electronics Research Center (ERC) was opened in September 1964 with a mission to develop new electronics and provide training for graduates and NASA employees. It was the only NASA Center to close in June 1970, despite growing personnel annually.

1964-11-05
Attempted Mars Flyby by Mariner 4

In November 1964, Mariner 4 attempted a flyby of Mars.

1964-11-28
Mars Flyby by Zond 2

In November 1964, Zond 2 successfully completed a flyby of Mars.

1964-11-30
Mars Flyby (Contact Lost) by Ranger 8

In November 1964, Ranger 8 attempted a Mars flyby but lost contact during the mission.

1965-02-17
Lunar Impact by Cosmos 60

In February 1965, Cosmos 60 impacted the moon.

1965-03-12
Attempted Lunar Lander by Ranger 9

In March 1965, Ranger 9 attempted a lunar landing.

1965-03-21
Lunar Impact by Luna 1965A

In March 1965, Luna 1965A impacted the moon.

1965-03-23
Gemini 3 Mission

Gemini 3, with Gus Grissom and John Young aboard, completed the first Gemini mission on March 23, 1965, paving the way for further advancements in space rendezvous and extravehicular activities.

1965-04-06
Geosynchronous Communications Become a Reality

NASA launches Intelsat 1, the first communications satellite in geosynchronous orbit. This revolutionary concept was inspired by Arthur C. Clarke and provided a stable platform for satellite communications.

1965-04-10
Attempted Lunar Lander (Launch Failure) by Luna 5

In April 1965, Luna 5 attempted a lunar landing but faced a launch failure.

1965-05-09
Lunar Impact (Attempted Soft Landing) by Luna 6

In May 1965, Luna 6 impacted the moon in an attempted soft landing.

1965-06-08
Attempted Lunar Lander by Zond 3

In June 1965, Zond 3 attempted a lunar landing.

1966-03-31
Lunar Orbiter

On March 31, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter mission, named Luna 1966A, was launched.

1966-04-30
Attempted Lunar Orbiter (Launch Failure)

On April 30, 1966, there was an attempted Lunar Orbiter mission, but unfortunately, it ended in a launch failure. The mission was named Surveyor 1.

1966-05-30
Lunar Lander

On May 30, 1966, the Lunar Lander mission named Explorer 33 successfully landed on the moon.

1966-06-02
Surveyor 1 Landing on the Moon

Surveyor 1 successfully landed on the moon, becoming the first American spacecraft to achieve this feat.

1966-07-01
Attempted Lunar Orbiter

On July 1, 1966, there was an attempted Lunar Orbiter mission named Lunar Orbiter 1.

1966-08-10
Lunar Orbiter

On August 10, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter mission named Luna 11 was launched.

1966-08-24
Lunar Orbiter

On August 24, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter mission involving Surveyor 2 was conducted.

1966-09-20
Attempted Lunar Lander

On September 20, 1966, an attempted Lunar Lander mission named Luna 12 was carried out.

1966-10-22
Lunar Orbiter

On October 22, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter mission named Lunar Orbiter 2 was launched.

1966-11-06
Lunar Orbiter

On November 6, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter mission named Luna 13 was launched.

1966-12-21
Lunar Lander

On December 21, 1966, a Lunar Lander mission took place.

1967-01-27
Apollo 1 Fire

A fire on the launch pad tragically kills astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, the first crew of the Apollo program. NASA responds by making significant changes to the Apollo spacecraft design and safety procedures.

1967-04-17
Lunar Lander Lunar Orbiter 4

April 17, 1967, marked the mission involving Lunar Lander and Lunar Orbiter 4.

1967-05-08
Lunar Orbiter Venera 4

May 8, 1967, witnessed the Lunar Orbiter Venera 4 mission.

1967-06-12
Venus Probe Mariner 5

On June 12, 1967, the Venus Probe Mariner 5 was launched.

1967-06-14
Venus Flyby Cosmos 167

The Venus Flyby Cosmos 167 mission took place on June 14, 1967.

1967-06-17
Attempted Venus Probe Surveyor 4

An attempted Venus Probe mission named Surveyor 4 was conducted on June 17, 1967.

1967-07-14
Attempted Lunar Lander Explorer 35 (IMP-E)

On July 14, 1967, an attempted Lunar Lander mission with Explorer 35 (IMP-E) was carried out.

1967-07-19
Lunar Orbiter Lunar Orbiter 5

The Lunar Orbiter Lunar Orbiter 5 mission occurred on July 19, 1967.

1967-08-01
Lunar Orbiter Surveyor 5

August 1, 1967, saw the Lunar Orbiter Surveyor 5 mission taking place.

1968-10-24
Last Flight of the X-15

The X-15, a groundbreaking research aircraft, concludes its final flight after nearly 10 years of operation. It set speed and altitude records while contributing valuable data to future piloted spaceflight programs like Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle.

1968-12-21
Apollo 8 Mission

The Apollo 8 mission begins.

1968-12-24
Apollo 8 Earthrise Photograph

Apollo 8 captures the iconic 'Earthrise' photograph during its mission, showing the Earth rising above the lunar horizon. This image becomes a symbol of human space exploration and the beauty of our planet seen from space.

1969-02-21
Attempted Lunar Orbiter (Launch Failure) Mariner 6

On February 21, 1969, an attempted lunar orbiter mission named Mariner 6 faced a launch failure.

1969-02-25
Mars Flyby Mariner 7

Mariner 7 successfully conducted a Mars flyby on February 25, 1969.

1969-03-27
Attempted Mars Orbiter (Launch Failure) Mars 1969B

An attempted Mars orbiter mission named Mars 1969B encountered a launch failure on March 27, 1969.

1969-04-02
Attempted Mars Orbiter (Launch Failure) Luna 1969B

Luna 1969B faced a launch failure during an attempted Mars orbiter mission on April 2, 1969.

1969-04-15
Attempted Lunar Sample Return? (Launch Failure) Apollo 10

On April 15, 1969, an attempted lunar sample return mission by Apollo 10 ended in a launch failure.

1969-05-18
Crewed Lunar Orbiter Luna 1969C

Luna 1969C successfully orbited the moon with a crew on May 18, 1969.

1969-06-14
Attempted Lunar Sample Return? (Launch Failure) Zond L1S-2

Zond L1S-2 faced a launch failure during an attempted lunar sample return mission on June 14, 1969.

1969-07-03
Attempted Lunar Orbiter (Launch Failure) Luna 15

On July 3, 1969, Luna 15 was launched as an attempted Lunar Orbiter but unfortunately faced a launch failure.

1969-07-13
Lunar Orbiter (Attempted Lunar Lander?) Apollo 11

Apollo 11 mission on July 13, 1969, involved a Lunar Orbiter that possibly attempted a Lunar Lander.

1969-07-16
Apollo 11 Moon Landing

Apollo 11 mission takes place, with Neil Armstrong becoming the first human to set foot on the moon.

1969-07-20
First Human Steps on the Moon

On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon, delivering his famous words: 'one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.'

1969-07-20
Apollo XI Moon Landing

Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Colonel Edwin Aldrin stepped out of Apollo XI and drove an American flag into the moon's surface, a historic moment watched by the world. Raytheon had a special interest in this event as the Apollo XI mission utilized a Saturn booster rocket.

1969-08-07
Lunar Flyby and Return to Earth Cosmos 300

Cosmos 300 conducted a Lunar Flyby and safely returned to Earth on August 7, 1969.

1969-09-23
Attempted Lunar Sample Return? Cosmos 305

On September 23, 1969, Cosmos 305 made an attempt for a Lunar Sample Return mission.

1969-10-22
Attempted Lunar Sample Return? Apollo 12

Apollo 12 mission on October 22, 1969, aimed for a Lunar Sample Return but faced challenges.

1969-11-14
Crewed Lunar Landing 1970 Luna 1970A

Luna 1970A successfully executed a crewed Lunar Landing on November 14, 1969.

1970-02-06
Attempted Lunar Sample Return? (Launch Failure) Luna 1970B

Luna 1970B faced a launch failure in its attempt for a Lunar Sample Return on February 6, 1970.

1970-02-19
Attempted Lunar Orbiter Launch Failure

On February 19, 1970, an attempted lunar orbiter mission, known as Apollo 13, faced a launch failure.

1970-04-13
Apollo 13 'Successful Failure'

Apollo 13 encountered an explosion in its service module, leading to a challenging situation where the crew had to use the lunar module as a lifeboat. Despite the crisis, NASA managed a 'successful failure' by safely returning the crew to Earth after more than three days in space.

1971-07-31
Apollo 15 Commander David Scott drives lunar roving vehicle on the Moon

Apollo 15 Commander David Scott becomes the first person to drive the lunar roving vehicle on the surface of the Moon, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.

1971-11-13
Mariner 9 Reaches Mars

Mariner 9 reaches Mars and becomes the first spacecraft to orbit another planet. Its mapping mission faces challenges due to a dust storm that initially obscures most of Mars's surface.

1972-03-31
Attempted Venus Probe

On March 31, 1972, there was an attempted Venus Probe mission as part of the Apollo 16 mission.

1972-04-16
Crewed Lunar Landing

On April 16, 1972, a crewed Lunar Landing mission was conducted as part of the Soyuz L3 mission.

1972-07-23
Landsat 1 Launch

Landsat 1 was launched, marking the beginning of over 40 years of continuous monitoring of the Earth's land surfaces, oceans, and atmosphere.

1972-11-23
Attempted Lunar Orbiter (Launch Failure)

On November 23, 1972, there was an attempted Lunar Orbiter mission which unfortunately ended in a launch failure as part of the Apollo 17 mission.

1972-12-07
Crewed Lunar Landing

On December 7, 1972, a crewed Lunar Landing mission was conducted by Luna 21/Lunokhod 2.

1972-12-09
Apollo 17 Mission

Apollo 17 marks the final manned mission to the moon.

1972-12-11
Last Moonwalk by Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt

Eugene Cernan and Harrison 'Jack' Schmitt became the last astronauts to walk on the moon in December 1972.

1972-12-19
End of Project Apollo with Apollo 17

Project Apollo concluded with the flight of Apollo 17, which returned to Earth on December 19, 1972, after spending 12 days and 14 hours in space. The mission involved conducting scientific experiments in both the Command and Service Module (CSM) and on the moon, completing 75 lunar orbits.

1973-01-08
Lunar Rover

On January 8, 1973, a Lunar Rover mission was conducted by Pioneer 11.

1973-04-05
Jupiter/Saturn Flyby

On April 5, 1973, there was a Jupiter/Saturn Flyby mission as part of Skylab.

1973-05-14
First U.S. Space Station Skylab

NASA successfully launches Skylab, the first American space station, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.

1973-06-10
Lunar Orbiter/Radio Astronomy

On June 10, 1973, a Lunar Orbiter/Radio Astronomy mission was conducted by Mars 4.

1973-07-21
Mars Flyby (Attempted Mars Orbiter)

On July 21, 1973, there was a Mars Flyby mission which attempted to become a Mars Orbiter as part of Mars 5.

1973-07-25
Mars Orbiter

On July 25, 1973, the Mars Orbiter mission was launched.

1973-08-05
Mars Lander (Contact Lost)

On August 5, 1973, Mars Lander mission Mars 7 lost contact.

1973-08-09
Mars Flyby (Attempted Mars Lander)

Mariner 10 attempted Mars Flyby with the intention of landing on Mars on August 9, 1973.

1973-11-04
Venus/Mercury Flybys

On November 4, 1973, Luna 22 conducted flybys of Venus and Mercury.

1974-06-02
Lunar Orbiter

Luna 23 was launched on June 2, 1974, for lunar orbiting mission.

1974-10-28
Attempted Lunar Sample Return

Venera 9 attempted a lunar sample return mission in 1974.

1975-05-14
Launch of Skylab

The United States launched its first space station, Skylab, in May 1975.

1975-06-08
Venus Orbiter and Lander

Venera 10 mission included both orbiter and lander for Venus exploration on June 8, 1975.

1975-06-14
Venus Orbiter and Lander

Viking 1 mission included both orbiter and lander for Venus exploration on June 14, 1975.

1975-07-15
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project took place on July 15, 1975, demonstrating international cooperation in space as an Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soyuz spacecraft.

1975-07-17
Docking Apollo and Soyuz Capsules

Apollo and Soyuz capsules successfully dock in space, symbolizing the end of the Space Race and the beginning of international cooperation in space exploration.

1975-08-20
Mars Orbiter and Lander

Viking 2 mission included both orbiter and lander for Mars exploration on August 20, 1975.

1975-09-09
Mars Orbiter and Lander Luna 1975A

On September 9, 1975, the Mars Orbiter and Lander Luna 1975A mission was launched.

1975-10-16
Attempted Lunar Sample Return 1976 Luna 24

On October 16, 1975, an attempted lunar sample return mission for Luna 24 was made.

1976-07-17
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

American Apollo 18 and Soviet Soyuz 19 spacecrafts docked in space as part of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in July 1976.

1976-07-20
Viking 1 Lands on Mars

Viking 1 successfully lands on Mars, initiating NASA's 40-year exploration of the Red Planet.

1976-08-09
Lunar Sample Return 1977 Voyager 2

On August 9, 1976, the Lunar Sample Return mission for Voyager 2 was successful.

1977-08-20
Voyager 2 Launch

Voyager 2, another robotic probe in the Voyager space program, was launched on August 20, 1977. It played a crucial role in collecting data about the outer planets and interstellar space.

1977-09-05
Voyager 1 Launch

Voyager 1, a robotic probe carrying various instruments to collect planetary and interstellar data, was launched on September 5, 1977. It was part of the Voyager space program that aimed to explore the outer planets and interstellar space.

1978-01-16
NASA Selects 35 New Astronauts

NASA announces the selection of 35 new astronauts, including the first women and African-Americans.

1978-05-20
Venus Orbiter Pioneer Venus 2

Pioneer Venus 2 successfully orbited Venus on May 20, 1978.

1978-08-08
Venus Probes ISEE-3/ICE

On August 8, 1978, the Venus Probes mission involving ISEE-3 and ICE was launched.

1978-08-12
Comet Giacobini-Zinner and Halley Flybys Venera 11

Venera 11 conducted flybys of Comet Giacobini-Zinner and Halley on August 12, 1978.

1979-03-24
Space Shuttle Columbia Arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

On March 24, 1979, the space shuttle Columbia arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for the first time.

1980-09
Pioneer 11 reaching Saturn

In September 1980, the U.S. probe Pioneer 11 reached Saturn and started transmitting images.

1981-04-12
Launch of Space Shuttle Columbia

On April 12, 1981, Columbia became the first Space Shuttle to be launched, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.

1981-08-26
Voyager 2 reaches Saturn

Voyager 2 spacecraft reached Saturn and started sending back images.

1981-11-13
Voyager 1 reaching Saturn

On November 13, 1981, Voyager 1 reached Saturn and began transmitting images of the planet.

1983-04-04
Challenger Space Shuttle launch

The second Space Shuttle, Challenger, was successfully launched.

1983-06-13
Pioneer 10 Beyond Our Planets

Pioneer 10 becomes the first spacecraft to travel beyond the orbits of the known planets, heading towards the star Aldebaran in the distant future.

1983-06-18
Sally Ride - First American Woman in Space

Sally Ride makes history by becoming the first American woman to travel to space.

1983-06-19
Sally Ride first American woman in space

Sally Ride made history by becoming the first American woman in space during Challenger's second mission.

1983-08-30
Guy Bluford - First African-American in Space

Guy Bluford becomes the first African-American astronaut to travel to space.

1984-02-03
Bruce McCandless untethered space walk

Astronaut Bruce McCandless achieved the first untethered space walk in history.

1984-04-06
On Orbit Satellite Repair

The crew of space shuttle mission STS-41-C successfully conducts the first on orbit satellite repair by replacing instruments on the Solar Max satellite.

1984-08-30
Discovery Space Shuttle launch

The third Space Shuttle, Discovery, was successfully launched.

1984-12-21
Venus Lander and Balloon/Comet Halley Flyby

On December 21, 1984, a Venus Lander and Balloon mission was conducted along with a Comet Halley Flyby.

1985-01-07
Comet Halley Flyby

Giotto spacecraft conducted a flyby of Comet Halley on January 7, 1985.

1985-07-02
Comet Halley Flyby

Suisei (Planet-A) performed a flyby of Comet Halley on July 2, 1985.

1985-08-18
Comet Halley Flyby

Phobos 1 conducted a Comet Halley Flyby in 1985, 1986, and 1987.

1986-01-24
Voyager 2 Transmits Uranus Images

Voyager 2 started sending images from the planet Uranus.

1986-01-28
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

The crew of the space shuttle Challenger, which included teacher Christa McAuliffe, tragically lost their lives shortly after the shuttle's launch.

1986-10-03
Atlantis Space Shuttle Launch

The fourth Space Shuttle, Atlantis, was launched on this day.

1988-05-13
Receiving the Robert J. Collier Trophy by Advanced Turboprop team

In May 1988, the Advanced Turboprop team at NASA Lewis received the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy.

1988-07-07
Attempted Mars Orbiter/Phobos Lander

Phobos 2 made an attempt to orbit Mars and land on Phobos on July 7, 1988.

1988-07-12
Mars Orbiter/Attempted Phobos Lander

Magellan spacecraft was sent to orbit Mars and make an attempted landing on Phobos on July 12, 1988.

1989-05-04
Venus Orbiter

Galileo spacecraft was launched to orbit Venus on May 4, 1989.

1989-10-18
Jupiter Orbiter

An orbiter mission to Jupiter was conducted on October 18, 1989.

1989-11-18
Launch of Cosmic Background Explorer

The Cosmic Background Explorer is launched to study the background radiation of the universe, providing valuable insights into the formation of the universe after the Big Bang. This mission would later lead to a Nobel Prize for John Mather and George Smoot.

1990-04-24
Deployment of Hubble Space Telescope from STS-31

The Hubble Space Telescope was deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-31. Research based on Hubble data has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, including discoveries related to black holes, dark energy and matter, and exoplanets.

1990-04-25
Launch of Hubble Space Telescope (HST) by Discovery

On April 25, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was launched into orbit by the space shuttle Discovery after overcoming delays caused by the Challenger disaster.

1990-08-10
Magellan Spacecraft Maps Venus

The Magellan spacecraft initiated mapping the surface of Venus using radar technology.

1991
Center celebrates 50th anniversary and Dedication of new Edward R. Sharp Employee Center

In 1991, the Lewis Center marks its 50th anniversary and unveils the new Edward R. Sharp Employee Center.

1992-05-07
Space Shuttle Endeavor Maiden Voyage

The Space Shuttle Endeavor was launched on its first journey into space.

1992-08-24
Discovery Space Shuttle Deploys Hubble Telescope

The Space Shuttle Discovery successfully released the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit.

1992-09-12
Mae Jemison First African-American Woman in Space

Mae Jemison made history by becoming the first African-American woman to travel to space.

1992-12-16
Cooperation in Human Spaceflight between United States and Russia

The United States and Russia agree to enhance their collaboration in human spaceflight. This partnership led to significant milestones such as Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev flying aboard an American spacecraft in 1994 and American astronaut Norm Thagard spending 115 days on the Russian space station in 1995.

1993-11-17
Announcement of International Space Station Cooperation

The United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, and the European Space Agency declare their joint efforts in constructing the International Space Station. This collaboration marks a significant step towards international cooperation in space exploration.

1994-04-14
Space Shuttle Endeavour's Mission with Space Radar Laboratory

The Space Shuttle Endeavour carried the Space Radar Laboratory, which held the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C with the X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar. It provided the first multi-frequency radar data sets from space, covering approximately 38.5 million miles of Earth and imaging more than 400 sites.

1994-10-05
Color Composite Radar Images of Mount Pinatubo

Color composite radar images of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines were acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The images showed significant changes in the area over five months.

1995-02-02
Eileen Collins First Female Shuttle Pilot

Eileen Collins achieved the milestone of being the first female pilot of a Space Shuttle.

1995-02-03
Sergei Krikalev First Russian Cosmonaut on Space Shuttle

Sergei Krikalev became the first Russian cosmonaut to fly aboard a Space Shuttle.

1996-12-04
Mars Lander and Rover

In December 1996, Mars Lander and Rover mission was launched.

1997-07-04
Mars Pathfinder and Sojourner Mission

On July 4, 1997, the Mars Pathfinder and its rover, Sojourner, landed on the Red Planet's surface, marking the first rover mission to Mars.

1997-10-15
Saturn Orbiter Huygens

On October 15, 1997, the Saturn Orbiter Huygens mission was launched.

1997-12-24
Lunar Flyby Lunar Prospector

On December 24, 1997, the Lunar Flyby mission with Lunar Prospector took place.

1998-01-07
Lunar Orbiter Nozomi (Planet-B)

In January 1998, the Lunar Orbiter mission with Nozomi (Planet-B) was launched.

1998-07-03
Mars Orbiter Deep Space 1 (DS1)

On July 3, 1998, the Mars Orbiter mission with Deep Space 1 (DS1) was launched.

1998-07-04
Mars Pathfinder Arrival on Mars

In July 1998, the Mars Pathfinder successfully landed on Mars and started sending back images of the Martian surface.

1998-08-06
Pathfinder-Plus Solar-powered Aircraft Record Altitude Flight

On August 6, 1998, the Pathfinder-Plus solar-powered aircraft achieved a record altitude of 80,201 feet.

1998-10-24
Asteroid and Comet Flyby Mars Climate Orbiter

In October 1998, the Asteroid and Comet Flyby mission with Mars Climate Orbiter was launched.

1998-10-29
John Glenn Returns to Space on STS-95

On October 29, 1998, John Glenn made his return to space aboard the STS-95 mission.

1998-12-06
Unity and Zarya Module Attachment

On December 6, 1998, the crew of space shuttle mission STS-88 successfully attached the U.S.-built Unity node and the Russian-built Zarya module in orbit, marking the beginning of the International Space Station.

1998-12-11
Attempted Mars Orbiter Mars Polar Lander

On December 11, 1998, an attempted Mars Orbiter mission with Mars Polar Lander took place.

1999-01-03
Attempted Mars Lander Deep Space 2 (DS2)

In January 1999, an attempted Mars Lander mission with Deep Space 2 (DS2) was launched.

1999-02-07
Comet Coma Sample Return

On February 7, 1999, the Comet Coma Sample Return mission was launched, which included the 2000, 2001, and 2001 Mars Odyssey projects.

1999-04-15
Landsat 7 Launch

Landsat 7 was successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The satellite's Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) component is designed for global change studies, land cover monitoring, and large area mapping.

1999-05-29
Shuttle Docks to ISS for the First Time on STS-96

On May 29, 1999, the Space Shuttle docked with the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time during the STS-96 mission. This marked a significant milestone in the construction of the ISS.

1999-07-23
Eileen Collins Commands STS-93, First Woman to Command a Shuttle

On July 23, 1999, Eileen Collins made history as the first woman to command a space shuttle flight during the STS-93 mission, which carried the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.

2000-10-31
Expedition 1 Launch to the International Space Station

Expedition 1 Commander William M. Shepherd of NASA and cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko of ROSCOSMOS lifted off to the International Space Station from Baikonur Cosmodrome, marking the start of uninterrupted human presence on the ISS.

2001-02-14
NEAR Spacecraft Images of Asteroid Eros

The U.S. Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft started sending images of the asteroid Eros in February 2001.

2001-04-28
Dennis Tito becomes first space tourist

American Dennis Tito made history by becoming the first tourist in space after paying $20,000,000 to the Russian space program in 2001.

2001-08-08
Solar Wind Sample Return

On August 8, 2001, the Solar Wind Sample Return mission was launched, along with the CONTOUR project in 2002.

2002-07-03
Fly-by of three Comet Nuclei

On July 3, 2002, there was a mission involving the fly-by of three Comet Nuclei, leading to the Hayabusa (Muses-C) project in 2003.

2003-02-01
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster

Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven are lost during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

2003-02-11
WMAP Picture of the Universe Release

NASA releases the WMAP baby picture of the universe, significantly advancing the understanding of the structure and evolution of the universe.

2003-02-13
Investigative panel findings on Columbia disaster

An investigative panel discovered that superheated air likely entered Columbia's left wing and wheel compartment during re-entry, leading to the deaths of all seven astronauts on February 13, 2003.

2003-05-09
Asteroid Orbiter and Sample Return

On May 9, 2003, the Asteroid Orbiter and Sample Return mission was conducted, in collaboration with the Mars Express project.

2003-06-02
Mars Orbiter and Lander

On June 2, 2003, the Mars Orbiter and Lander mission took place, involving the Spirit (MER-A) project.

2003-06-10
Mars Rover

The Mars Rover mission with Opportunity (MER-B) was initiated on June 10, 2003.

2003-07-08
Mars Rover

On July 8, 2003, the Mars Rover mission was carried out with the SMART 1 project.

2003-09-21
Galileo mission ends exploration of Jupiter

NASA's Galileo mission concluded a 14-year exploration of Jupiter and its moons by crashing the spacecraft into Jupiter at a speed of 108,000 mph.

2004-01-14
President Bush proposes new space program

President Bush announced a new space program aiming to send humans back to the moon by 2015 and establish a base for Mars and further space exploration.

2004-03-02
Comet Orbiter and Lander MESSENGER

On March 2, 2004, the MESSENGER spacecraft was sent to orbit and land on a comet.

2004-03-08
First Image of Earth from Mars by Mars Exploration Rover Spirit

On March 8, 2004, the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit captured the first image of Earth from the surface of Mars.

2004-08-03
Mercury Orbiter 2005 Deep Impact

The Mercury Orbiter 2005 Deep Impact mission began on August 3, 2004.

2004-11-16
X-43A Sets Mach 9.6 Speed Record

The X-43A aircraft sets a speed record of Mach 9.6, showcasing advancements in aerospace technology.

2005-01-12
Comet Rendezvous and Impact Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

On January 12, 2005, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission involved rendezvous and impact with a comet.

2005-01-14
Huygens Probe Lands on Titan

ESA's Huygens probe successfully lands on Saturn's moon Titan after traveling with the Cassini spacecraft, providing valuable insights into the moon's composition.

2005-07-03
NASA spacecraft collided with a comet

A NASA spacecraft collided with a comet half the size of Manhattan, creating a brilliant cosmic smashup to study the building blocks of life on earth.

2005-07-26
Space Shuttle Discovery launched

Space Shuttle Discovery was launched with seven astronauts aboard, marking America’s first manned space shot since the 2003 Columbia disaster.

2005-08-12
Mars Orbiter Venus Express

The Mars Orbiter Venus Express mission was launched on August 12, 2005.

2006-01-15
Samples of Comet Wild-2

Stardust mission returns to Earth with samples collected from Comet Wild-2.

2006-01-19
Pluto/Charon and Kuiper Belt Flyby 2007 Phoenix

The Pluto/Charon and Kuiper Belt Flyby 2007 Phoenix mission was initiated on January 19, 2006.

2007-08-04
Small Mars Scout Lander Kaguya (SELENE)

On August 4, 2007, the Kaguya (SELENE) spacecraft landed as part of the Small Mars Scout mission.

2007-08-08
Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch with Teacher-Astronaut Barbara Morgan

On August 8, 2007, Space Shuttle Endeavour launched with a crew of seven members, including teacher-astronaut Barbara Morgan. Morgan's presence marked the return of a teacher in space since the Challenger disaster in 1986.

2007-09-14
Lunar Orbiter Dawn

The Lunar Orbiter Dawn mission took place on September 14, 2007.

2007-09-27
Asteroid Ceres and Vesta Orbiter

On September 27, 2007, the Asteroid Ceres and Vesta Orbiter mission was launched.

2007-10-24
CAST (China) Lunar Orbiter

On October 24, 2007, the CAST Lunar Orbiter mission was launched.

2008-01-14
NASA Space Probe Messenger Skims Above Mercury

On January 14, 2008, the NASA space probe Messenger passed just 124 miles above the surface of Mercury, providing valuable data and insights about the planet.

2008-05-25
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Landing and Ice Discovery

NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander successfully landed on Mars on May 25, 2008, after a 10-month, 422 million-mile journey. The lander began transmitting images back to Earth and made a significant discovery of ice on the planet.

2008-10-22
ISRO (India) Lunar Orbiter

On October 22, 2008, the ISRO Lunar Orbiter mission was launched.

2009
NASA Selection Process

After being a year into his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, he received the life-changing news that he was selected as a NASA astronaut out of 18,000 applicants. The rigorous selection process included interviews, tests, and evaluations.

2009-03-06
Launch of NASA spacecraft Kepler

On March 6, 2009, the NASA spacecraft Kepler was launched. Its mission is to search for planets outside our solar system, in a distant area of the Milky Way.

2009-03-07
Extrasolar Terrestrial Planet Detection Mission

On March 7, 2009, the Extrasolar Terrestrial Planet Detection Mission was launched.

2009-06-18
Launch of Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS)

NASA launched the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) on June 18, 2009. The mission aimed to confirm the presence or absence of ice on the moon.

2009-11-13
Discovery of Ice on the Moon

On November 13, 2009, NASA scientists announced the discovery of a 'significant amount' of ice in a crater near the moon’s South Pole.

2010-01-22
First Live Tweet from Space

Astronaut T.J. Creamer sends the first unassisted Tweet from space while aboard the International Space Station.

2010-10-01
CAST (China) Lunar Orbiter

On October 1, 2010, the CAST Lunar Orbiter mission was launched.

2010-10-11
President Obama Signs Legislation for NASA's Mars and Asteroids Exploration

President Barack Obama signed legislation focusing NASA's efforts on exploring Mars and the asteroids, emphasizing the importance of space exploration beyond Earth's orbit.

2011-07-08
Final Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis

On July 8, 2011, the space shuttle Atlantis made its final launch, marking the end of the American space shuttle program. The mission, STS-135, delivered essential supplies and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS).

2011-07-16
Dawn Spacecraft Orbits an Asteroid

In July 16, 2011, NASA's Dawn spacecraft achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first man-made craft to orbit an asteroid. This accomplishment demonstrated the advancement of space exploration technology.

2011-07-21
Last Space Shuttle Flight: Atlantis

On July 21, 2011, the space shuttle Atlantis completed its final flight, marking the end of the space shuttle program. It was a significant moment in the history of space exploration.

2011-08-05
Jupiter Orbiter GRAIL

On August 5, 2011, the Jupiter Orbiter GRAIL was launched.

2011-09-10
Lunar Orbiter Phobos-Grunt

On September 10, 2011, the Lunar Orbiter Phobos-Grunt was launched.

2011-11-08
Attempted Mars Orbiter Mars Science Laboratory

On November 8, 2011, an attempted Mars Orbiter Mars Science Laboratory mission was conducted.

2011-11-26
Mars Rover 2012 2013 LADEE

On November 26, 2011, the Mars Rover 2012 2013 LADEE mission was initiated.

2012-08-06
Mars Rover Curiosity Landing

The Mars rover Curiosity safely lands on Mars.

2012-08-25
Voyager 1 in Interstellar Space

Voyager 1 spacecraft achieves the milestone of becoming the first man-made object to enter interstellar space.

2012-10-07
First Commercial Resupply Mission

The first commercial resupply mission is launched to the International Space Station, marking a new era in space logistics.

2013-09-06
Lunar Orbiter Mangalyaan

On September 6, 2013, the Lunar Orbiter Mangalyaan was launched.

2013-11-05
ISRO (India) Mars Orbiter MAVEN

On November 5, 2013, the ISRO (India) Mars Orbiter MAVEN was launched.

2013-11-18
Mars Scout Mission Orbiter Chang'e 3

On November 18, 2013, the Mars Scout Mission Orbiter Chang'e 3 was launched.

2013-12-01
Lunar Lander and Rover 2014 Chang'e 5 Test Vehicle

On December 1, 2013, the Lunar Lander and Rover 2014 Chang'e 5 Test Vehicle was launched.

2014-04-28
NASA Testing Designs for Overland Supersonic Flights

NASA is working on designs to reduce sonic booms for supersonic flights over land, which are currently banned by the FAA. Small-scale model designs by Boeing and Lockheed Martin are being tested in wind tunnels to study air flow through engines.

2014-10-23
Lunar Flyby and Return by Hayabusa 2

On October 23, 2014, the spacecraft Hayabusa 2 conducted a lunar flyby and return mission.

2014-12-03
JAXA Asteroid Sample Return by PROCYON

JAXA successfully completed the asteroid sample return mission using the spacecraft PROCYON on December 3, 2014.

2014-12-05
First Spaceflight Test of Orion

Orion capsule successfully completes its first spaceflight test, paving the way for future deep space exploration missions.

2015-07-09
First Commercial Crew Named

NASA announces the first commercial crew members, including Doug Hurley, Eric Boe, Bob Behnken, and Suni Williams, for upcoming spaceflights.

2015-07-14
New Horizons Flies by Pluto

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft conducts a historic flyby of Pluto, providing valuable data and images of the distant dwarf planet.

2015-11-24
Katherine Johnson Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

Katherine Johnson, along with other female 'computers', is honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their significant contributions to the early success of the U.S. space program.

2016-03-14
ESA Mars Orbiter and Lander OSIRIS-REx

The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully deployed the Mars orbiter and lander OSIRIS-REx on March 14, 2016.

2016-07-04
Juno Orbits Jupiter

NASA's Juno spacecraft successfully enters orbit around Jupiter, beginning its mission to study the planet's atmosphere and magnetic field.

2016-09-08
Sample Return Mission to Asteroid Bennu by InSight

In September 2016, the InSight mission initiated a sample return mission to the asteroid Bennu.

2017-06-07
NASA introduces 12 new astronauts

On June 7, 2017, NASA announced the selection of 12 new astronauts to join their team.

2017-08-21
Solar Eclipse Online Viewing Record

A total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. becomes a major online event for NASA, with over 50 million viewers watching the eclipse through NASA's web streams and website.

2018-05-05
Mars Lander Queqiao

On May 5, 2018, the Mars Lander Queqiao successfully landed on Mars.

2018-05-20
CNSA Lunar Relay Satellite Parker Solar Probe

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched the lunar relay satellite Parker Solar Probe on May 20, 2018.

2018-08-12
Solar Orbiter - Venus Flybys BepiColombo

The Solar Orbiter conducted Venus flybys as part of the BepiColombo mission on August 12, 2018.

2019-05-21
NASA Tests UAV Management System for Cities

NASA launches the final stage of a four-year effort to develop a national traffic management system for UAVs, testing beyond visual line of sight flights in cities for the first time.

2019-12-18
NASA's Astronaut Candidates Graduation for Artemis Missions

NASA's astronaut candidates are set to graduate with a focus on Artemis missions, aiming to return humans to the Moon. The event marks a significant step in preparing astronauts for future space exploration endeavors.

2020-01-10
Graduation from NASA Astronaut Training

Jonny Kim graduated from NASA Astronaut training on January 10, 2020, after being selected to join NASA Astronaut Group 22.

2020-02-24
Katherine Johnson passes away

Katherine Johnson, a noted NASA computer(mathematician), passes away at the age of 101.

2020-07-30
Mars Rover and Rotorcraft

On July 30, 2020, Mars Rover and Rotorcraft mission took place.

2021-01-17
Microgravity Particle Collision Study CubeSat

On January 17, 2021, the Microgravity Particle Collision Study CubeSat project was initiated.

2021-10-16
Trojan Asteroid Flybys

On October 16, 2021, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) conducted Trojan Asteroid Flybys.

2021-11-24
Asteroid Dimorphos Impactor

On November 24, 2021, the Asteroid Dimorphos Impactor mission, LICIACube, was executed.

2021-12-25
L2 Orbiting Infrared Observatory 2022

On December 25, 2021, the L2 Orbiting Infrared Observatory project, CAPSTONE, was initiated for 2022.

2022-01-01
NASA's Next-Generation Solar Sail Boom Technology

NASA has developed advanced solar sail boom technology that is set for launch. This innovation represents a significant step forward in space exploration and propulsion.

2022-06-28
Lunar Navigation Test Orbiter

On June 28, 2022, the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri) conducted Lunar Navigation Test.

2022-11-03
NASA Next-Generation Solar Sail Boom Technology Ready for Launch

NASA has developed next-generation solar sail boom technology that is now prepared for launch. This technology represents a significant advancement in space exploration.

2022-11-04
Altitude Chamber Gets Upgrade for Artemis II, Spacecraft Testing Begins

The altitude chamber used for testing spacecraft has been upgraded in preparation for Artemis II mission. Testing of spacecraft for this mission has commenced.

2022-11-06
NASA's PACE Data on Ocean, Atmosphere, Climate Now Available

NASA has made the PACE data regarding ocean, atmosphere, and climate available for access. This data provides valuable insights into Earth's environment.

2022-11-16
Artemis 1 Mission

The Artemis 1 mission commences.

2023
NASA's New Mission to Saturn

NASA has announced a new mission to Saturn, aiming to explore and study the planet and its moons. The specific objectives and goals of the mission have not been disclosed.

2024-03-01
Page Last Updated

The NASA webpage was last updated on March 1, 2024.

2024-03-16
NASA scientist views first Voyager images

A NASA scientist has viewed the first images from the Voyager mission, experiencing a profound and chilling impact from what was observed.

2024-03-20
Last Updated of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

On March 20, 2024, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center was last updated by Dave Williams. The update was signed off by DRW.

2024-03-26
NASA Leadership Spotlights Space Sustainability at Space Symposium

NASA's leadership highlighted the importance of space sustainability during the Space Symposium. The focus was on ensuring the long-term viability of space activities and resources.

2024-04-08
The April 8 Total Solar Eclipse Observations by NASA

NASA observed the total solar eclipse that occurred on April 8, 2024, providing valuable insights and data.

2024-04-16
NASA's Space Sustainability Strategy Launch

NASA launches a space sustainability strategy to tackle the challenges posed by orbital debris in space.

2024-04-22
NASA Langley Team Weather Study During Eclipse

NASA Langley team will study the weather conditions during an eclipse using uncrewed vehicles.

2024-09-18
NASA and Archaeology from Space Symposium

A two-day symposium honoring Dr. Thomas L. Sever will be held in Washington, D.C. to discuss NASA's contributions to archaeology from space.

2025
Lunar Lander Blue Ghost 2 (Firefly)

The Lunar Lander mission Blue Ghost 2 (Firefly) is set for 2025.

2026
JAXA (Japan) Phobos Sample Return Mission Dragonfly

JAXA plans a Phobos Sample Return Mission named Dragonfly for 2026.

2028
Quadcopter Mission to Titan

In 2028, a quadcopter mission is planned to explore Titan, one of Saturn's moons.

2031
Venus Flyby and Atmospheric Probe

In 2031, the VERITAS mission will perform a Venus flyby and atmospheric probe to gather data about the planet.

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