This Week In Space History (01/04 - 01/10)

🚀 This Week in Space History: Jan 4 – Jan 10 🌌
From Martian landings to the birth of a genius, this week has been massive for space exploration! Here are the milestones we’re celebrating:
🔴 Jan 4, 2004: Spirit Lands on Mars
The Mars Exploration Rover (MER-A), better known as Spirit, touched down at Gusev Crater. It was only supposed to last 90 days, but this little rover that could kept exploring for over 6 years! It paved the way for Curiosity and Perseverance.
🔭 Jan 4, 1643: Sir Isaac Newton is Born
The man who gave us the laws of motion and universal gravitation was born this week. Without his work in the 17th century, we wouldn’t have the math to launch rockets today. 🍎
🪐 Jan 5, 2005: Eris is Discovered
Astronomers discovered the dwarf planet Eris. Why does this matter? It was slightly more massive than Pluto, which sparked the big debate that eventually led to Pluto being reclassified as a dwarf planet. Sorry, Pluto!  Pluto fans, don't @ us. 😉
🛰️ Jan 7, 1610: Galileo Discovers the "Medicean Stars"
Galileo Galilei first observed what we now know as the four largest moons of Jupiter: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. This was the first time we realized not everything in the universe revolves around the Earth.
🐉 Jan 10, 2015: First Rocket Landing Attempt
SpaceX attempted the first-ever landing of a Falcon 9 first stage on a drone ship. While it ended in a "Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly" (it crashed!), it was a huge step toward the reusable rockets we see today.