Category: This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

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Moon Landing Space Exploration This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

Lunar Rover Vehicle Speed Record was Broken on December 13, 1972

Lunar Rover Vehicle speed record: John Young
Apollo 16 Astronaut John Young kicks up a trail of lunar dust while off-roading, momentarily lifting off the surface, just before hitting the record-breaking lunar speed of approximately 16.9 kilometers per hour (10.5 miles per hour) during their final EVA on April 23, 1972.

The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), an engineering feat designed for lunar exploration, played a crucial role in the later Apollo missions. Given its delicate structure and the unique challenges of the Moon’s surface, astronauts were instructed to handle the LRV with utmost caution. The vehicle, powered by a modest 1 horsepower, initially had a speed limit of 8 mph (12.87 km/h) to ensure safety during lunar excursions, recognizing that mechanical or medical help was a quarter of a million miles away on Earth.

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Moon Landing Space Exploration This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

The Last Moonwalk was Performed on December 13, 1972

Apollo 17 EVA-3 [December 13, 1972] - the last moonwalk
Apollo 17 EVA-3 [December 13, 1972] - the last moonwalk

On December 13, 1972, Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt performed the third and last extravehicular activity (EVA) of the mission. This was the last moonwalk ever performed (as of 2023). Cernan and Schmitt were the last humans to set foot on the Moon.

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This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History Space Exploration

Anna Lee Fisher became the first mother in space on November 8, 1984

Anna Lee Fisher became the first mother in space on November 8, 1984
Anna Lee Fisher became the first mother in space on November 8, 1984

On November 8, 1984, American astronaut Anna Lee Fisher became the first mother in space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery as a mission specialist of NASA’s STS-51-A mission. It was her only spaceflight.

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Solar System Astronomy This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

The Largest Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein was Discovered on October 20, 2014

Largest comet ever known: Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein
On October 20, 2014, astronomers Pedro Bernardinelli and Gary Bernstein discovered the largest comet ever known using archival images from the Dark Energy Survey. Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein's estimated diameter is approximately 80 miles (128 km) across, making it larger than the state of Rhode Island.

On October 20, 2014, astronomers Pedro Bernardinelli and Gary Bernstein discovered the largest comet ever known using archival images from the Dark Energy Survey [see notes 1]. Comet Bernardinelli-Bernstein’s estimated diameter is approximately 85 miles (136.7 km) across, making it larger than the state of Rhode Island. According to NASA, its nucleus is about 50 times larger than that found at the heart of most known comets. [Source] Its mass is estimated to be a staggering 500 trillion tons – about 100,000 times greater than the mass of a typical comet found much closer to the Sun.

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Mars Space Exploration This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was launched on August 12, 2005

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) launch
August 12, 2005: The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), launched from Cape Canaveral on top of an Atlas V launch vehicle. The mission embarked on an ambitious quest to scrutinize the Martian environment from its orbit. Tasked with observing Mars' climate, studying its geological activities, scouting future landing zones, and serving as a data relay from Martian missions to Earth, the MRO is equipped with an array of advanced instruments, including three cameras, two spectrometers, and a radar. As of July 29, 2023, it has transmitted over 450 terabits of invaluable data. Notably, the MRO has identified safe landing spots for other NASA missions, detected pure water ice in fresh craters, and unearthed further signs of past liquid water flow on Mars' surface. Image: NASA

On August 12, 2005, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was launched from Cape Canaveral, as part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program. MRO is a multipurpose spacecraft designed to conduct reconnaissance and exploration of Mars from orbit. The orbiter played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the Red Planet, both in terms of current conditions and its history.

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Space Exploration This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

The Youngest Person to go to Space: Anastatia Mayers

Anastatia-Mayers, the youngest person to go to space
Anastatia Mayers, the youngest person to go to space, aboard the VSS Unity spacecraft during the Galactic 02 flight. Her suborbital spaceflight symbolizes a new era in space tourism and diversity in space exploration. Her historic journey marks a monumental shift towards making space accessible to all, inspiring future generations to reach for the stars. Image source: Virgin Galactic

Anastatia Mayers, an 18-year-old philosophy and physics student from Aberdeen University, made history as the youngest person to travel to space. Her extraordinary journey aboard Virgin Galactic’s Galactic 02 (G02) flight on August 10, 2023, not only set a record for youth but also marked a significant milestone in space tourism.

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Moon Landing Space Exploration This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

First Use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV): July 31, 1971

Apollo 15 Lunar Roving Vehicle
Image from Apollo 15, taken by Commander David Scott at the end of EVA-1. Lunar Module Pilot Jim Irwin is seen with the Lunar Roving Vehicle, with Mount Hadley in the background. Seen on the back of the Rover are two SCBs mounted on the gate, along with the rake, both pairs of tongs, the extension handle with scoop probably attached, and the penetrometer. Note that the TV camera is pointed down, in the stowed position. Image source: Apollo 15 Map and Image Library on the NASA History website

The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), often referred to simply as the “moon buggy,” was used on the Moon in the last three missions of the American Apollo program (15, 16, and 17) between 1971 and 1972. Its first use was during the Apollo 15 mission, driven by astronauts David Scott and Jim Irwin on July 31, 1971.

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Space Exploration This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

The first in-space satellite repair was performed on April 11, 1984

The first in-space satellite repair: Solar Maximum Mission
In the aft end of the Challenger's cargo bay, during the STS-41C mission, mission specialists George D. Nelson and James D. van Hoften collaborated on repairing the captured Solar Maximum Mission Satellite (SMMS). They utilized the remote manipulator system (RMS) and a mobile foot restraint as a "cherry picker" device to move around. After completing the repairs, the RMS was employed to hoist the SMMS back into space.

The first orbiting satellite to be repaired in space was NASA’s Solar Maximum Mission, which launched on February 14, 1980, to observe solar flares. Just a few months later, in November 1980, one of the satellite’s altitude control fuses failed. It was put in standby mode, and it remained so until Space Shuttle Challenger [STS-41-C] eventually rendezvoused with it on April 11, 1984. The crew of the STS-41-C mission successfully performed the first in-space satellite repair.

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This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History Climate Earth from Space Space Exploration

The first weather observation satellite [TIROS-1] was launched on April 1, 1960

Technicians working on the TIROS-1 satellite
Technicians working on the TIROS-1 satellite. Photo: NASA

On April 1, 1960, the world’s first weather observation satellite (TIROS-1) was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It became operational for 78 days, despite the mission duration being 90 days.

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Solar System Space Exploration This Day in Science, Technology, Astronomy, and Space Exploration History

The first Mercury flyby was performed by Mariner 10 on March 29, 1974

Mariner 10 (artist conception). On March 29, 1974, it performed the first Mercury flyby.
Mariner 10 (artist conception). On March 29, 1974, it performed the first Mercury flyby.

On March 29, 1974, NASA’s Mariner 10 spacecraft has performed the first Mercury flyby in the history of space exploration.

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