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First Ape into Space
January 31, 1961 50 years ago today, Ham the Chimp travels into outer space aboard Mercury-Redstone 2. Ham (whom was named this only after he survived the flight) was the first ape to fly into space. Note that apes include chimpanzees, gorillas, and humans, but NOT monkeys. First Ape into Space is original content of This Day…
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Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
January 28, 1986 On this cold January morning, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart after liftoff, killing all seven astronauts on board. Contrary to popular belief, while the external fuel tank did combust, the Challenger didn’t truly explode as much as it was torn apart by aerodynamic forces. Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster is original content of…
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Space Shuttle Columbia Launches for Final Time
January 16, 2003 Famous for being the first Space Shuttle ever to be launched (mission STS-1), the Space Shuttle Columbia takes off for mission STS-107. This mission would prove to be its final one as Columbia disintegrated 16 days later on re-entry. Space Shuttle Columbia Launches for Final Time is original content of This Day in Tech…
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Space Shuttle Given Green Light
January 5, 1972 U.S. President Richard Nixon orders the development of a space shuttle program. Space Shuttle Given Green Light is original content of This Day in Tech History. This Day in Tech History Tech History provided by This Day in Tech History.com
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Discovery Docks with International Space Station
May 29, 1999 The Space Shuttle Discovery completes the first docking with the International Space Station (ISS). Discovery Docks with International Space Station is original content of This Day in Tech History. This Day in Tech History Tech History provided by This Day in Tech History.com
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First Space Shuttle Launch
April 12, 1981 NASA launches the first Space Shuttle mission, STS-1, sending the Columbia on its maiden voyage. This mission intended to prove the feasibility of the Space Shuttles in specific, and reusable spacecraft in general. Originally set to launch on April 10th, problems delayed the launch by two days, which caused the launch to occur…
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Space Station Mir is Launched
February 20, 1986 The Soviet Union launches the core module of the Mir space station. The core module will provide living quarters for the cosmonauts, including a galley, cooking elements, storage, individual crew cabins and personal hygiene area. Five additional modules will be launched between March 1987 and April 1996. Space Station Mir is Launched…
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First Flight of Space Shuttle – Just Not Into Space
February 18, 1977 The first Space Shuttle orbiter, the Enterprise, embarks on its maiden flight in “captive mode,” attached to the top of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet. The flight is the first of five captive flights before the orbiter is finally released to land on its own. The nine month test program is conducted…
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First Woman to Pilot the Space Shuttle
February 3, 1995 Astronaut Eileen Collins becomes the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle as mission STS-63 gets underway from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. First Woman to Pilot the Space Shuttle is original content of This Day in Tech History. This Day in Tech History Tech History provided by This Day in Tech…
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Space Shuttle Columbia Launches for Final Time
January 16, 2003 Famous for being the first Space Shuttle ever to be launched (mission STS-1), the Space Shuttle Columbia takes off for mission STS-107. This mission would prove to be its final one as Columbia disintegrated 16 days later on re-entry. Space Shuttle Columbia Launches for Final Time is original content of This Day in Tech…