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In 1951, two female stray dogs named Dezik and Tsygan became the first mammals to successfully cross the border of space and return aliveIn 1951, two female stray dogs named Dezik and Tsygan became the first mammals to successfully cross the border of space and return alive. ...
In 1957, Vanguard TV3 rose about 4 feet before its rocket exploded; the 3-pound satellite was thrown clear, recovered, and now sits in the Smithsonian's Air and Space MuseumIn 1957, an American satellite launch ended in disaster when the rocket exploded on the launchpad. The salvaged satellite ultimately became...
In 1944, a German aerospace engineer along with his team invented first long-range ballistic missile for Nazi Germany but it was built by concentration camp prisoners under brutal conditions, laying the foundation for both the American and Soviet space programsIn 1944, a German aerospace engineer along with his research team invented the first long-range ballistic missile secretly for Nazi Germany...
In 1905, a Bohemian prince released 5 muskrats into his estate. By 1914, their population had exploded to 2 MillionIntroduced near Prague in 1905, five muskrats quickly proliferated throughout Europe. Utilizing waterways as pathways, these semi-aquatic r...
Teachers’ Day 2026: From President to 27 Nobel nominations, know more about Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and how the tradition beganTeachers’ Day 2026 will be observed in India on September 5, the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, India’s second President...
In 1966, NASA launched Biosatellite I with 13 biology experiments and more than 10 million organisms; its retrorocket failed, and the spacecraft was never recoveredIn 1966, NASA's Biosatellite I mission attempted to carry over ten million organisms into orbit, but a retrorocket malfunction led to the c...
In 2015, 200,000 saigas died in Kazakhstan's mass die-off. 10 years later, nearly 4 million now roam the vast steppe, turning one of the species' darkest chapters aroundKazakhstan has witnessed one of wildlife conservation’s most remarkable turnarounds. Saiga antelope numbers once collapsed by about 95% aft...
When Poland found a second home in Kolhapur: During World War II, they survived Siberia, travelled through Iran and finally found safety 6,104 km awayWhen Poland found a second home in Kolhapur: A rosary and personal belongings of a Polish refugee are returning to Valivade, India, the set...
With wary eye on Russia, Finland runs Europe's largest civil defence exercise since WWIIFinland has initiated an extensive civil defence drill, simulating scenarios of cyberattacks and missile threats to bolster preparedness. B...
Toyohiro Akiyama dies at 84: Japan’s first person in space was a journalist who live-reported from Mir and observed six tree frogs in zero gravityToyohiro Akiyama, the trailblazing figure and Japan's first civilian in space, has passed away at the age of 84. His remarkable journey to ...
On September 2, 1945, two Japanese officials signed the surrender document in a 23-minute ceremony. They were later convicted of war crimesThe formal end of Japan's war took place on September 2, 1945, during a historic signing ceremony aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Thi...
In 1987, Bion 8 carried monkeys Yerosha and Dryoma for 13 days; Yerosha escaped part of his restraints before the capsule landed 1,850 miles off targetThe Soviet Bion program studied weightlessness effects using rhesus macaques. Bion 8 launched in 1987 with two monkeys, Yerosha and Dryoma....
In 1961, America sent its first astronaut into space. 15 minutes later, he was back on EarthOn May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard made history as the first American to reach space, completing a spectacular 15-minute journey aboard Freedom 7...
In 1951, Soviet dog Smelaya ran away before her rocket launch; after she returned, she flew safely with MalyshkaDuring the initial experiments in space exploration, Soviet engineers evaluated dogs for their survival skills during launch. Female dogs w...
In 1949, Soviet Union detonated its first atom bomb, ending U.S. monopoly on atomic weapons, more than seven decades later United States and Russia together hold over 80 per cent of world's nuclear arms stockpileSoviet Union’s first atomic bomb test transformed the international security landscape. On August 29, 1949, the world entered a new stage i...
In 1960, two dogs orbited Earth on Sputnik 5. A year later, one of their puppies reached the White House as a surprise gift for US first lady Jacqueline KennedyTwo Soviet dogs, Belka and Strelka, orbited Earth and returned safely. Strelka later had puppies, and one was gifted to the Kennedys. This ...
In 1968, two Russian steppe tortoises travelled around the Moon before humans did. They survived a punishing 20G force while returning to EarthIn a remarkable journey, two Russian steppe tortoises embarked on a mission aboard Zond 5, orbiting the Moon in September 1968. This pionee...
In 1968, two Afghan tortoises who beat humans to the Moon lost 10% of their weight - They flew around the moon on Soviet Zond 5 and returned alive 3 months before Apollo 8In September 1968, two tortoises made history as the first animals to orbit the Moon and safely return to Earth aboard the Soviet Zond 5 sp...
In 1975, Soviet Union sent a cannon to space and tested it from Salyut 3 station, just six months before US and Soviet astronauts met in orbit for the Apollo-Soyuz mission during the Cold WarIn January 1975, the Soviet Union fired a 23mm cannon from its Salyut 3 military space station as a test of its orbital defence system. The...
Gulag prisoners built this town during WW2, it grew into a USSR mining centre of over 10,000 people; before the end of the Soviet era brought its decline in 1996Once a vibrant Soviet town dedicated to coal mining during World War II, Kadykchan was home to a lively community complete with schools and...