Huygens Probe Landed on Saturn’s Moon Titan in 2005

 Events
Jan 142024
 

Saturn and its Rings

Huygens Probe landed on Saturn’s moon Titan in 2005. The successful landing indicated Titan’s surface is covered with a powdery substance.  Scientists are still analyzing the data the probe sent back to earth. The Cassini-Huygens mission was a joint venture of the European Space Agency, the Italian Space Agency, and NASA. The mission left earth on October 15, 1997. The Cassini portion continued to send back data about Saturn and remained active until September 15, 2017 when its energy was depleted and it dove into Saturn’s atmosphere, returning data until it was no more.  Children can review data and more at: Cassini-Huygens.

Stardust Was Launched by NASA in 1999

 Events
Feb 072024
 

Stardust Dust Collector with Aerogel

Stardust was launched by NASA in 1999.  Scientists sent it into outer space to collect samples from comets. So how did Stardust collect those samples? It contained plates of aerogel, a type of sticky stuff that attracted and kept the comet materials. It traveled three billion miles before returning to earth January 15, 2006, with samples it took from comet Wild 2. Children can have a great time exploring the Stardust NASA site for kids at: Stardust.

Kepler Space Telescope Was Launched from Florida in 2009

 Events
Mar 072024
 

Artist’s Conception of Kepler Space Observatory

Kepler Space Telescope was launched from Florida in 2009. Named after the German astronomer Johannes Kepler, the observatory searched for earth-like planets in other parts of the galaxy. Before it was decommissioned on October 30, 2018, it had provided more information than any observatory on earth. The Kepler Space Telescope and other instruments have located at least 5312 new exoplanets. Children can participate in some interactives at: Kepler Space Telescope.

NASA Released its First Images from the James Webb Space Telescope in 2022

 Events
Jul 122024
 

James Webb Space Telescope

NASA released its first images from the James Webb Space Telescope in 2022. The telescope was launched into space on December 25, 2021. Developed primarily by NASA with help from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the infrared telescope is able to basically go back in time to see the formation of the first galaxies and to locate exoplanets. The telescope is named after James Webb, NASA administrator from 1961 to 1968. It was launched from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana on a Ariane 5 rocket. Children can monitor the telescope’s progress at: James Webb Telescope.

Phoenix Was Launched by NASA in 2007

 Events
Aug 042024
 
Artist's Conception of Phoenix on Surface of Mars

Artist’s Conception of Phoenix on Surface of Mars

Phoenix was launched by NASA in 2007. The spacecraft landed on a polar region of Mars on May 25, 2008, and conducted tests on water and surface chemistry until November 2, 2008. Then the Martian winter set in, and the fragile equipment could no longer send data.  Children could learn more at: Phoenix.

Echo 1A Was Launched in 1960

 Events
Aug 122024
 

Echo 1A, the first passive communications satellite, was successfully launched in 1960. The 100-foot diameter balloon reflected communications signals to desired locations. Only one other passive communications satellite was launched until NASA decided to use active satellites. Experts predicted Echo 1A would last only until 1964. However, Echo 1A remained intact and reentered earth’s atmosphere on May 24, 1968. The satellite was destroyed by friction and heat. Children could learn more at: Echo 1A.

Spacecraft Dawn Was Launched by NASA in 2007

 Events
Sep 272024
 

Spacecraft Dawn was launched by NASA in 2007. Its mission was to explore Vesta and Ceres, the two largest extraterrestrial bodies in the Asteroid Belt. Dawn began orbiting around Vesta on July 16, 2011, and sent back data. It left Vesta on September 5, 2012, and it reached Ceres on March 6, 2015. It currently remains in orbit around Ceres. Children can learn more at: Spacecraft Dawn.

Red Planet Day

 Events
Nov 282024
 

Mars Surface

Red Planet Day is today! Mars, the red planet, is honored today because Mariner 4 was launched on November 28, 1964. It reached Mars on July 14, 1965, sending back to NASA 22 photos of the planet. Mars is a cold desert planet, the fourth from the sun. It is red because a great deal of iron is in the soil. It has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. Children can learn more at: Mars.

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