This Day In Space History: August 12

3

http://www.onthisday.com/events/august/12

A Venus-Jupiter conjunction occurs, meaning they experienced a close encounter. This is believed to be the "Star of Bethlehem."

1962

http://www.yearinspace.com/the-week-in-space
One day after launching Vostok 3, the USSR launches Vostok 4.

1977

http://www.onthisday.com/events/august/12

The High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO) 1 is launched into Earth's orbit.

1978

http://www.onthisday.com/events/august/12

The launching of the International Sun-Earth Explorer (ISSE), a project between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) to study solar wind and Earth's magnetism.

2005

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is launched from Cape Canaveral in search of proof of the longevity of water on Mars that would support life.

learn more: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter-mro/

follow the Mission on Twitter @HiRISE

For a complete list of today’s Space History, see  http://www.astronautix.com/a/august12.html