Historical Events tagged with "NASA"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Space Exploration

Space Shuttle Discovery's STS-131 Mission Launch

April 5th, 2010 14 years ago

Space Shuttle Discovery was launched on STS-131, marking its 33rd mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff occurred at 6:21 AM EDT from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission aimed to deliver vital supplies and equipment to support ongoing research aboard the ISS. The crew consisted of seven astronauts who played key roles in the mission's success, including the delivery of the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, Leonardo.

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Space Exploration

Launch of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

June 18th, 2009 15 years ago

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) was launched by NASA as a robotic spacecraft intended to explore the Moon. Liftoff occurred at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The primary goal of the LRO was to survey the lunar surface, providing high-resolution images and data that would support future exploration, particularly the planning of lunar missions by astronauts. The mission is part of NASA's larger vision of human and robotic exploration of the Moon and beyond.

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Space Exploration

Brightest Gamma-Ray Burst Observed

March 19th, 2008 16 years ago

On March 19, 2008, astronomers observed GRB 080319B, a gamma-ray burst that became the farthest object visible to the naked eye. Detected by the Swift satellite, this cosmic phenomenon occurred approximately 7.5 billion light-years away in the constellation Bootes. Its unprecedented brightness for a brief period was equivalent to the luminosity of several billion suns, signaling an extraordinary event in the universe's history. This burst provided researchers with vital information about the early universe and the fundamental processes of star formation and death.

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Space Exploration

Endeavour Launches on STS-118 Mission

August 8th, 2007 17 years ago

NASA launched the Space Shuttle Endeavour on the STS-118 mission to the International Space Station. The mission aimed to deliver supplies and new components critical for the ISS, marking a significant step in the ongoing assembly and maintenance of the space station. During this launch, seven astronauts flew aboard Endeavour, contributing to a series of missions focused on expanding the ISS's capabilities and facilitating scientific research in low Earth orbit.

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Space Exploration

Atlantis Launches for ISS Assembly Mission

September 9th, 2006 18 years ago

Space Shuttle Atlantis was launched on STS-115 to continue the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS). This mission marked a significant return to ISS assembly operations after the Columbia disaster in 2003, which had halted shuttle flights for over two years. Atlantis carried a key piece of equipment, the P3/P4 truss, which was vital for the station's structure. The launch took place from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

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Space Exploration

Discovery Launches for First Post-Columbia Mission

July 26th, 2005 19 years ago

Space Shuttle Discovery was launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida as part of the STS-114 mission, marking NASA's first scheduled flight mission after the Columbia disaster. The mission aimed to test safety improvements and delivered supplies to the International Space Station. It featured a 12-day mission, with key tasks including the assembly and maintenance of the space station. The crew was led by Commander Eileen Collins, making her the first female commander of a Space Shuttle flight.

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Space Exploration

Successful Flight of SpaceShipOne

September 29th, 2004 20 years ago

Burt Rutan's SpaceShipOne completed a successful spaceflight, achieving an altitude of 62.5 miles and marking a significant milestone in private space exploration. This flight was the first of two required to claim the prestigious Ansari X Prize. Conducted over the Mojave Desert in California, the flight was piloted by Mike Melvill, demonstrating the viability of private sector space travel and showcasing Rutan's innovative design. The achievement represented a breakthrough in the commercialization of space, capturing public imagination and proving that private entities could accomplish missions previously dominated by government space agencies.

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Space Exploration

Genesis Spacecraft Crash-Lands After Parachute Failure

September 8th, 2004 20 years ago

NASA's Genesis spacecraft, launched to collect solar wind samples, crash-landed in the Utah desert when its parachute failed to deploy. The spacecraft, which had successfully gathered particles from the sun’s corona, was expected to land gently for retrieval by scientists. The failure occurred during its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, resulting in a hard landing that scattered its contents. This incident highlighted the challenges faced in retrieving materials from space and the importance of testing spacecraft systems.

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Space Exploration

Cassini's Close Encounter with Phoebe

June 11th, 2004 20 years ago

Cassini–Huygens, a NASA spacecraft, made its closest flyby of Phoebe, one of Saturn's moons, capturing detailed images and data. This flyby provided insights into Phoebe's surface composition and helped to understand its irregular shape and dark coloration. The encounter occurred on June 11, 2004, revealing the moon's unique characteristics and contributing to scientists' knowledge of the Saturnian system.

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