This Day In Space History: August 5

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.

learn more: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/main/index.html

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

For a complete list of today’s Space History, see  http://www.astronautix.com/a/august05.html

This Day In Space History: July 31

1959

The first animal couch-cabin was inspected in the Aeromedical Field Laboratory for the Mercury Project. Read more about it here.

1961

President Kennedy praises the decision for unions to avoid strikes and lockouts at Cape Canaveral, saying, “The Nation cannot afford … [a] delay in our missile and space program … [or] wasteful and expensive practices.”

1969

Spacecraft Mariner 6 flies by Mars and takes pictures of both of Mars’ polar caps.

1991

The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I) is negotiated between the U.S. and Soviet Union, signed by Bush and Gorbachev to reduce nuclear weapons.

1999

Spacecraft Lunar Prospector crashes, as planned, into the moon.

For a complete list of today’s Space History, see http://www.astronautix.com/j/july31.html