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SPACECRAFT OPERATIONS
In 2000, a crew for the first time headed for the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket for four months to prepare ISS facility for researchIn 2000, a crew for the first time headed for the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket for four months to prepare ISS ...- US, China arm for space warfare: Hunter satellites and orbital weaponsChina and the United States are developing advanced military space capabilities. Both nations are preparing for potential conflict extendin...
- In 2010, NASA launched a 12-pound, loaf-of-bread-sized satellite with two Bacillus populations; radiation exposure reached about 15 times that of the ISS orbitNASA's O/OREOS mission embarked on an exciting journey to observe how bacteria withstand the rigors of space radiation. The compact satelli...
- In 2006, NASA and French Space Agency CNES launched a satellite in a joint mission to probe the properties of Earth's thin clouds and aerosolsIn 2006, NASA and French Space Agency CNES launched a satellite in a joint mission to probe the properties of Earth's thin clouds and aeros...
- In 1967, a preflight test for the first crewed flight of Apollo resulted in a tragedy and the loss of astronauts Virgil Grissom, Edward White and Roger ChaffeeIn 1967, a preflight test for the first crewed flight of Apollo on the launch pad at Cape Kennedy resulted in a tragedy and loss of astrona...
- In 1974, Skylab 4 astronauts returned after 84 days in orbit; flipped circuit breakers cut pitch-and-yaw control before Carr used backup mode for reentryThe Skylab 4 mission set a new record with astronauts spending 84 days in space, where they conducted crucial scientific experiments while ...
- In 1969, lightning struck Apollo 12 seconds after launch; John Aaron’s “SCE to AUX” call restored telemetry and helped save the Moon missionApollo 12 astronauts encountered a significant crisis when lightning struck their rocket, not once but twice. A neglected protocol related ...
- In 1962, NASA packed 22,900 gallons of water into a Saturn I rocket and deliberately released it 65 miles above Earth to see how water behaved in the upper atmosphereNASA scientists have long explored recycling resources for extended space travel. Plants and microorganisms could help regenerate vital sup...
- In 2018, NASA invited people worldwide to send their names to the Sun. More than 1.1 million did and their names are still travelling aboard Parker Solar ProbeOver one million names traveled to the Sun aboard NASA's Parker Solar Probe. These names were digitally stored on a memory card, becoming p...
- In 2021, a spacecraft was launched on a first-ever suicide mission to try to deflect an asteroid on impact in space in the revolutionary planetary defense experiment: How NASA’s DART mission changed an asteroid’s orbitIn 2021, a spacecraft was launched on a first-ever suicide mission to try to deflect an asteroid on impact in space in the revolutionary pl...
- From Mars to interstellar space, NASA’s new giant antenna is now operationalNASA activated its new 34-meter radio antenna, DSS-23, on August 3, 2026. This new antenna will help communicate with spacecraft across the...
- In 2013, balloons were launched by NASA near the North and South poles to study X-rays in Earth’s atmosphereIn 2013, balloons were launched by NASA near the North and South poles to study X-rays in Earth’s atmosphere as part of the Balloon Array f...
- In 1958, NASA launched a spacecraft Able 2 for the first time to the Moon but the mission failed after a small error and the probe reentered Earth's atmosphere about 43 hours after launchIn 1958, NASA launched Able 2, later known as Pioneer 1, on a mission to study the Moon. The spacecraft failed to reach lunar orbit after a...
- In 1966, Gemini VIII made the first U.S. docking in space; 27 minutes later, a stuck thruster sent it spinning near 1 revolution per second before Neil Armstrong stopped itThe Gemini VIII mission quickly transitioned from a planned rendezvous to a critical in-flight emergency. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Dav...
- In 1965, an astronaut secretly smuggled corned-beef sandwich into space, creating a '$30 million' problem for NASAIn 1965, astronaut John Young secretly carried an unauthorized corned-beef sandwich aboard NASA’s Gemini 3 mission. The sandwich created pr...
- NASA sent 3 aluminum LEGO figures on a 1.7 billion mile journey; by 2016, the figurines of 2 Roman gods and 1 famous scientist had become the fastest and farthest-traveling toys in history. Still orbiting Jupiter, they now face a fiery fateNASA's ambitious Juno mission made history by sending three aluminum LEGO figures to Jupiter, marking them as the fastest LEGO items ever c...
- In 1958, US Air Force launched an Able 1 spacecraft to the Moon in humanity’s first attempt to send a spaceship anywhere beyond Earth orbit but the mission lasted only 73.6 secondsIn 1958, US Air Force launched an Able 1 spacecraft to the Moon in humanity’s first attempt to send a spaceship anywhere beyond Earth orbit...
- In 1999, a small unit mismatch sent NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter deep into the Martian atmosphere and led to the failure of the missionIn 1999, a small unit mismatch sent NASA's Mars Climate Orbiter deep into the Martian atmosphere and led to the failure of the mission. The...
- In 1970, Apollo 13 used a wristwatch to time a 14-second burn without computer guidance. 56 years later, the manual maneuver remains a textbook survival feat and a NASA legendWhen Apollo 13 Went Dark, a Mechanical Wrist watch Saved the Mission. After an explosion crippled their spacecraft, the crew powered down t...
- In 2019, fewer than 2,000 active satellites circled Earth as SpaceX began scaling Starlink. Seven years later, 15,711 were orbiting the planet, with Starlink accounting for 65.97% of the working satellitesSince 2019, the number of active satellites around Earth has surged nearly eightfold, with SpaceX's Starlink making up about two-thirds of ...
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