This Week in Space History (10/19 - 10/25)

Explore the fascinating events that shaped space history this week!

October 19, 1959: Luna 3 Captures First Images of the Far Side of the Moon

On this day, the Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 successfully captured and transmitted the first images of the far side of the Moon. This groundbreaking achievement provided humanity with a glimpse of the mysterious and unexplored side of Earth's natural satellite.

October 20, 1975: Venera 9 Sends Back First Images of Venus' Surface

Venera 9, a Soviet spacecraft, made history by becoming the first spacecraft to successfully transmit images of the surface of Venus back to Earth. These images provided valuable insights into the harsh conditions of Venus, with its thick atmosphere and extreme temperatures.

October 21, 2003: Galileo Spacecraft Ends Mission with Impact on Jupiter

After a successful mission exploring Jupiter and its moons for over 14 years, the Galileo spacecraft was intentionally crashed into Jupiter on this day to avoid contaminating any of the planet's moons with Earthly microbes. This marked the end of a remarkable journey of discovery in the outer solar system.

October 22, 1968: Apollo 7 Returns Safely to Earth

The crew of Apollo 7, the first manned mission of the Apollo program, safely returned to Earth on this day after spending 11 days in space. This mission was a crucial step towards the eventual moon landing of Apollo 11, demonstrating the capabilities of the Apollo spacecraft and paving the way for future missions.

October 23, 2007: Space Shuttle Discovery Launches on STS-120 Mission

Space Shuttle Discovery embarked on the STS-120 mission to the International Space Station on this day. The mission involved delivering the Harmony module to the ISS, expanding its capabilities for future space exploration and research.

October 24, 1946: First Photo of Earth from Space Taken by V-2 Rocket