Historical Events tagged with "kennedy space center"

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 Final Landing

March 9th, 2011 14 years ago

Space Shuttle Discovery completed its historic final landing at Kennedy Space Center, marking the end of a remarkable 30-year career. It was the shuttle's 39th mission, and it returned from a 13-day mission to the International Space Station. Discovery played a crucial role in building the ISS, launching the Hubble Space Telescope, and conducting numerous scientific experiments. The landing concluded with a touching farewell to the shuttle, which had become an iconic symbol of American space exploration.

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Space Exploration

NASA's Ares I-X Launch Advances Space Exploration

October 28th, 2009 15 years ago

The Ares I-X mission was a test flight for NASA's Constellation program, aimed at developing new spacecraft for human spaceflight. Launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, this mission evaluated technologies and designs for the planned Ares I rocket. It lifted off successfully, reaching an altitude of approximately 36 kilometers before landing safely in the Atlantic Ocean, marking a significant milestone in NASA's efforts to return humans to the Moon and beyond.

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Space Exploration

Space Shuttle Atlantis launches for ISS resupply

May 19th, 2000 24 years ago

NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis was launched on mission STS-101 to assist in the construction and resupply of the International Space Station (ISS). This mission marked a significant step in the ongoing development of the ISS, with Atlantis carrying critical supplies and equipment required for future modules and operations. The launch took place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, showcasing advancements in human spaceflight and collaboration with international partners.

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Space Exploration

Endeavour launches with ASTRO-2 mission

March 2nd, 1995 30 years ago

Space Shuttle Endeavour lifted off from Kennedy Space Center to conduct the ASTRO-2 mission, which aimed to further investigate astronomical phenomena utilizing a unique observatory. The mission, launched on March 2, 1995, carried a multitude of instruments designed to observe cosmic sources in different wavelengths. With a crew of seven astronauts, including notable figures like John W. Young and Storey Musgrave, the shuttle would spend 11 days in orbit gathering valuable data.

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Space Exploration

Opening of NASA's Space Station Processing Facility

June 23rd, 1994 30 years ago

NASA inaugurated the Space Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, marking a significant milestone for the assembly and manufacturing of components for the International Space Station (ISS). This state-of-the-art facility was designed to support critical tasks including assembly, testing, and integration of the ISS modules and elements. It became a vital hub for the development and preparation of space modules that would facilitate human exploration and scientific research in low Earth orbit. The facility's opening was celebrated with various stakeholders from NASA and the aerospace community.

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Space Exploration

Endeavour launches to retrieve EURECA satellite

June 21st, 1993 31 years ago

Space Shuttle Endeavour launched on STS-57 to retrieve the European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA) satellite. This mission marked the first time the Spacehab module was carried on a shuttle. The shuttle took off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, embarking on an important mission for international space collaboration. Astronauts conducted experiments in a variety of scientific fields during their time in orbit, showcasing the multifunctional capabilities of the shuttle.

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Space Exploration

Discovery Launches Ulysses Space Probe

October 6th, 1990 34 years ago

Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off on its STS-41 mission, successfully deploying the Ulysses space probe. This mission aimed to gather data about the Sun's polar regions, which had never been studied in detail before. Ulysses carried scientific instruments designed to measure solar wind and magnetic fields, providing crucial insights into solar behavior and its effects on the solar system. The launch took place from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking a significant step forward in solar research.

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Space Exploration

Columbia's Second Launch: STS-2 Mission

November 12th, 1981 43 years ago

Mission STS-2, utilizing the Space Shuttle Columbia, signifies the first occasion where a crewed spacecraft had been launched into space twice. This mission followed the inaugural flight of Columbia during STS-1. Encompassing various scientific experiments and technological demonstrations, the shuttle effectively showcased the capabilities of reusable spacecraft. The crew, consisting of Commander Joseph P. Allen and Pilot Frederick D. Gregory, contributed to extensive data collection during the eight-day mission, significantly enhancing NASA's understanding of reusable space technology.

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Space Exploration

Columbia's Inaugural Flight as Space Shuttle

April 14th, 1981 43 years ago

The Space Shuttle Columbia completed its first test flight, STS-1, marking a significant milestone in human spaceflight. Launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mission successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the shuttle, including its ability to orbit Earth and land back safely. The shuttle carried a two-person crew, including Commander John W. Young and Pilot Robert L. Crippen. The flight lasted just under three days, showcasing the technological advancements in reusable spacecraft.

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