1864
Giovanni Donati is the first to observe the spectrum of a comet.
1930
Neil Armstrong - the first man to step foot on the moon - was born.
1969
Just five days after Mariner 6 flew by Mars on July 31st, its twin Mariner 7 flew by Mars.
1973
The Soviet spacecraft Mars 6 is launched.
1986
The Senate approves Star Wars, the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) - an anti-ballistic missile system which would intercept Soviet and other enemy missiles (coldwar.org).
2011
The Juno spacecraft is launched for Cape Canaveral to Jupiter - it would not arrive at Jupiter for another 5 years.
follow the Juno Mission on Twitter @NASAJuno
All events came from one of the following sources:
(1930, 1969, 2011) http://www.yearinspace.com/the-week-in-space/365-august-5-2013-this-is-why-we-explore
(1864, 1973, 1986) http://www.onthisday.com/events/august/5
