This Week In Space History (12/7 - 12/13)
This Week in Space History (December 7th - December 13th)
This week in space history brings us a fascinating look back at incredible feats of human ingenuity, daring missions, and groundbreaking discoveries. From close encounters with distant worlds to the enduring legacy of lunar exploration, let's dive into some of the most memorable moments in space history that occurred between December 7th and December 13th.
December 7, 1995: Galileo Arrives at Jupiter
Twenty-eight years ago, on December 7, 1995, NASA's Galileo spacecraft successfully entered orbit around Jupiter, beginning a remarkable eight-year mission to study the gas giant and its moons. Galileo was the first spacecraft to orbit Jupiter and the first to deploy an atmospheric probe into its crushing atmosphere.
The data collected by Galileo revolutionized our understanding of Jupiter, its complex magnetic field, its vibrant aurorae, and its four largest moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. The mission provided compelling evidence for a subsurface ocean on Europa, fueling speculation about the potential for extraterrestrial life.
December 7, 1972: Apollo 17 - The Last Humans to Walk on the Moon
Fifty-one years ago, on December 7, 1972, Apollo 17 launched from Kennedy Space Center, carrying astronauts Eugene Cernan, Ronald Evans, and Harrison Schmitt. This mission marked the sixth and final time humans would land on the Moon, and the only Apollo mission to include a scientist – geologist Harrison Schmitt – among its crew.
Cernan and Schmitt spent over three days on the lunar surface, conducting extensive geological surveys, deploying experiments, and collecting a record-breaking 243 pounds of lunar samples. Their work provided invaluable insights into the Moon's formation and evolution. The image above shows Eugene Cernan with the Lunar Roving Vehicle.
December 12, 1970: Luna 16 Returns with Lunar Samples
On December 12, 1970, the Soviet Union's Luna 16 probe successfully returned to Earth with lunar soil samples. This was a significant achievement, marking the first successful robotic sample return mission from the Moon. While the Apollo missions were bringing back hundreds of pounds of samples, Luna 16 demonstrated the feasibility of automated sample collection, paving the way for future robotic exploration.
The mission proved the capability of robotic spacecraft to not only land on another celestial body but also to collect and return precious scientific material, a testament to the ingenuity of the Soviet space program.
December 13, 1978: Pioneer Venus Multiprobe Arrives at Venus
On December 13, 1978, the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe arrived at Venus, releasing four atmospheric probes into the planet's scorching atmosphere. These probes collected crucial data on the composition, temperature, and pressure of Venus's dense atmosphere as they descended to the surface.
The mission, along with its companion spacecraft the Pioneer Venus Orbiter, provided the most comprehensive study of Venus up to that point, helping scientists understand why Earth's "sister planet" had evolved into such a dramatically different and hostile world.
These moments from space history serve as powerful reminders of humanity's insatiable curiosity and our relentless pursuit of knowledge beyond Earth. Each mission, each launch, and each discovery builds upon the last, pushing the boundaries of what we thought possible and inspiring future generations to reach for the stars.