This Day In Space History: August 13

1911

Just a few weeks after her friend Harriet Quimby becomes the first American woman to get her pilot's license, Matilde Moisant -who would break many records- becomes the second woman in the U.S. to become a licensed pilot. Read about why she was almost arrested here: https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/aug-13-1911-second-us-woman-earn-pilot%E2%80%99s-license

1959

https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1959-005A

Discoverer 5 is launched. Run by the Department of Defense and Air Force, the main goal of the program (though kept secret from the public) was to develop a surveillance satellite to replace U2 spyplanes in order to keep tabs on Soviet production of weapons.

2014

https://www.space.com/37183-today-in-space.html
With such detailed imaging abilities, previously unheard of from a private company, DigitalGlobe launched the high-resolution WorldView-3 satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The WorldView-3 has the sharpest image yet for a satellite.



For a complete list of today’s Space History, see  http://www.astronautix.com/a/august13.html

This Day In Space History: August 1

1911

(from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum website)

learn more: https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/day-first-female-earn-pilot%E2%80%99s-license

Harriet Quimby becomes the first female to receive a pilot license in the U.S. (2nd in the world).

1929

The first jet-assisted takeoff (JATO) took place in Germany.

1960

Scientific adviser to the British Ministry of Aircraft Production, Sir Henry Tizard, seeks out the aid of American scientists, marking a beginning of collaboration between the nation in aeronautics, rocketry, and related fields.

1957

As a result of the National Security Council approving a reorganization and cutback of the ballistic missile program, Atlas was prioritized over the Titan program and the Thor and Jupiter IRBM programs were to be chosen between.

1967

Lunar Orbiter V was launched at 6:33 EDT and would eventually return with 425 pictures including the far side of the moon and the first picture of the full earth.

1971

(from the BBC News website)

learn more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/1/newsid_4101000/4101579.stm

Apollo 15 - Irwin and Scott uncover a rock that could be from the moon's origin.

1975

The Israeli Air Force shoots down four piloted Soviet MiG-21's over Egypt.

1985

Soviet Russia selects pilots to train for missions on its Buran space shuttle.

1990

France selects astronauts for the Mir space station.

2000

Discovery of the Mars Meteorites SAU 051 and NWA 2737 in Oman and Morocco, respectively.

For a complete list of today’s Space History, see  http://www.astronautix.com/a/august01.html