Historical Events tagged with "space"

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

Hale Telescope First Light Under Edwin Hubble

January 26th, 1949 76 years ago

The Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory, managed by astronomer Edwin Hubble, achieved first light, marking a significant milestone in optical astronomy. This telescope, featuring a 200-inch aperture, set the standard for large telescopes worldwide, greatly enhancing astronomers' ability to observe celestial objects and phenomena. Its completion was a monumental achievement in the field of astrophysics, making it the largest aperture optical telescope until the construction of the BTA-6 in 1976.

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Space Exploration

First Photograph of Earth from Outer Space

October 24th, 1946 78 years ago

A camera onboard the V-2 No. 13 rocket took the first photograph of Earth from outer space, capturing a stunning view of the planet at an altitude of 105 kilometers. This significant milestone was achieved during a rocket test flight conducted at the White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico, USA. The mission aimed to collect data for military and scientific purposes, showcasing the capabilities of rocket technology and the new perspective of Earth from above.

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Space Exploration

First Successful Radio Transmission to the Moon

January 10th, 1946 79 years ago

In a groundbreaking achievement, the United States Army Signal Corps successfully bounced radio waves off the Moon and received the reflected signals. This experiment, known as Project Diana, took place at the Camp Evans Radar Site in New Jersey. The purpose was to demonstrate the feasibility of using the Moon as a medium for radio communication. The success of this project opened new avenues for long-distance communication and radar technology, positioning the United States as a leader in early space exploration initiatives.

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Space Exploration

First Man-Made Object Reaches Outer Space

June 20th, 1944 80 years ago

The experimental MW 18014 V-2 rocket achieved a remarkable milestone by reaching an altitude of 176 kilometers. Developed by German engineer Wernher von Braun and his team, the rocket lifted off from a launch site near Peenemünde, Germany. This flight marked the first time a man-made object breached the Kármán line, a widely accepted boundary of outer space. The successful launch not only demonstrated advanced rocketry but also showcased the potential for future space exploration.

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Technology & Innovation

Record Altitude Achieved by V-2 Rocket

October 3rd, 1942 82 years ago

On October 3, 1942, a German V-2 rocket reached a record altitude of 85 kilometers (46 nautical miles). This significant achievement occurred during tests conducted in Peenemünde, Germany, where the rocket's advanced design and innovative propulsion system demonstrated its potential for reaching the upper atmosphere. The launch was part of Germany's missile development program led by Wernher von Braun and aimed at designing a weapon capable of traveling beyond the dawn of space exploration.

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Science & Technology

Meteorite Fragments Land Near Chicora, Pennsylvania

June 24th, 1938 86 years ago

In June 1938, fragments of a massive meteorite landed in a rural area near Chicora, Pennsylvania. The meteorite, estimated to have weighed around 450 metric tons upon entering the Earth's atmosphere, exploded in a spectacular display. Witnesses described a loud boom and bright flashes of light as the meteorite broke apart mid-air, raining down on the surrounding area. Local residents felt the impact, which left craters in the ground and scattered remnants. The event drew attention from scientists and meteorite enthusiasts who sought to study the remnants of this cosmic phenomenon.

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Space Exploration

Proposal of 'Pluto' as a Dwarf Planet Name

May 1st, 1930 94 years ago

Vesto Slipher of Lowell Observatory proposed 'Pluto' as the name for a newly discovered dwarf planet in the 1930 Lowell Observatory Observation Circular. The proposition caught public attention, becoming widely adopted in astronomy and popular culture. The choice honored the Roman god of the underworld, reinforcing the mysterious nature of this distant celestial body. The name 'Pluto' was suggested after a poll among the staff at Lowell Observatory, which resonated with both scientific and mythological significance.

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Space Exploration

Discovery of Pluto Announced by Lowell Observatory

March 13th, 1930 95 years ago

Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh announces the discovery of Pluto, the first trans-Neptunian object. This announcement by the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, marked a significant milestone in astronomy and deepened our understanding of the solar system. Tombaugh's systematic search for a ninth planet was driven by discrepancies in the orbits of known planets, leading to this groundbreaking discovery.

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Space Exploration

Goddard launches first liquid-fueled rocket

March 16th, 1926 98 years ago

Robert Goddard successfully launched the world's first liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts. The rocket, fueled by gasoline and liquid oxygen, reached an altitude of 41 feet (12.5 meters) and traveled for a total flight time of 2.5 seconds. This groundbreaking event marked a pivotal moment in rocketry, laying the groundwork for future space exploration. Goddard's innovative approach showcased the potential of liquid propulsion systems, which would become the standard in modern rocketry.

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