This Day In Space History: August 21

1972

The Orbiting Astronomy Observatory 3, "Copernicus" is launched. Read about the mission here: https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1972-065A

1989

Launched twelve years ago yesterday, Voyager 2 flies by Neptune's moon Triton. Read about Neptune's largest moon, and its encounter with the Voyager spacecraft here: https://www.wired.com/thisdayintech/2009/08/dayintech_0821/

1993

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/08/21/this-day-in-history-august-21-2017.html

NASA loses contact with the Mars Observer orbiter before its entry into Martian orbit.

2017

A total solar eclipse is visible over North America, the first time in 38 years!!!

For a complete list of today’s Space History, see  http://www.astronautix.com/a/august21.html

This Day In Space History: August 20

2

http://www.onthisday.com/events/august/20
A Venus-Jupiter conjunction occurs, believed to be the "Star of Bethlehem." It also happened one week earlier the following year, read my post here.

1913

http://www.onthisday.com/events/august/20
Adolphe Pegoud becomes the first pilot to parachute out of an airplane.

1975

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdloqU2bmcA
Viking 1 is launched to Mars' orbit and will become the first successful landing of a spacecraft on the Red Planet. learn about the mission here: https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1975-075C

1977

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdloqU2bmcA
Just 16 days before its twin Voyager 1 is launched, Voyager 2 is launched today from Cape Canaveral toward Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.



For a complete list of today’s Space History, see  http://www.astronautix.com/a/august20.html