Voyager 1 and 2 June 10, 2009
Posted by sputnikandmore in Firsts, Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus.comments closed
The Voyager 1 & 2 were twin probes launched by the US. Their mission was to Jupiter and Saturn. They both did, but then Voyager 2 went on to Uranus and Neptune. Voyager 1 passed Uranus and Neptune, but never got close enough to photograpd them. Soon after it became the first spacecraft to experience heliopause.
Apollo 1 June 9, 2009
Posted by sputnikandmore in Firsts, Space Travel Disasters.comments closed
Apollo 1 was the first of the US’ Apollo spacecrafts. Apollo 1′s crew of three, Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee all died during a fire that started during a test of the spacecraft. The Apollo 1 led the way for the many Apollo missions soon to come.
Apollo 11 June 9, 2009
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The Apollo 11 was the first manned spacecraft landed on the moon. It was launched July 16, 1969. Two US astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, took the first steps on the moon by humans on July 20, 1969. The crew on the Apollo 11 were the first to get pieces of material from other planets. Neil Armstrong once said, ”That was one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The Explorer 1 June 9, 2009
Posted by sputnikandmore in Firsts, Satellites.comments closed
The Explorer 1 was the first artificial satellite launched by the US. It was launched on February 1, 1958. The Explorer 1 led the Explorer series, with 13 successful satellites launched by 1962.
Mariner 10 June 9, 2009
Posted by sputnikandmore in Firsts, Mariner.comments closed
There were 10 Mariner space probes, in part of a US space race program called the Mariner mission during the 1960’s and ’70’s. Their purpose was to explore Mercury, Venus, and Mars. The total cost for all ten of the spacecrafts was approximately $554 million.
The Mariner 10 was the first spacecraft to use the gravitational pull of a planet (Venus) to reach another (Mercury). It took pictures and collected data on Mercury. It was the first too take close up pictures of Venus and Mercury. In all, it cost about $100 million.
Mariner 4 June 4, 2009
Posted by sputnikandmore in Firsts, Mariner, Mars.comments closed
There were 10 Mariner space probes, in part of a US space race program called the Mariner mission during the 1960’s and ’70’s. Their purpose was to explore Mercury, Venus, and Mars. The total cost for all ten of the spacecrafts was approximately $554 million.
The Mariner 4 was launched on November 28th, 1968. It was the first spaceship to take pictures of Mars and send them back to Earth. 
This is one of the pictures that Mariner 4 took of Mars.
Vostok 5 and 6 June 4, 2009
Posted by sputnikandmore in Firsts, Vostok.comments closed
Vostok 5 and 6 were another double launch of spacecrafts. Vostsok 5 was launched on June 14th, 1963 and Vostok 6 was launched two days later on the 16th by the Soviet Union. The Vostok 6 pilot, Valentina Tereshkova, was also the first woman in space. They remained in orbit for three days, and soon after she returned to Earth the Vostok 5 pilot, Valery Bykovsky, landed after 5 days. This currently holds the record for the longest mission by a single-seated spacecraft.
Kvant 1 June 3, 2009
Posted by sputnikandmore in Firsts, Space Stations.comments closed
The Kvant was the first addition, and second piece of the Mir Space Station. It was launched March 31, 1987, and connected to the Mir Core Module on April 12, 1987. It was sent to space so that people could conduct expirements about space, while on the Mir Space Station.
Mariner 2 June 3, 2009
Posted by sputnikandmore in Firsts, Mariner, Mars.comments closed
There were 10 Mariner space probes, in part of a US space race program called the Mariner mission during the 1960’s and ’70’s. Their purpose was to explore Mercury, Venus, and Mars. The total cost for all ten of the spacecrafts was approximately $554 million.
Mariner 2 (also called “Mariner-Venus 1962″) was launched on August 27th 1962. It was the first spacecraft to successfully fly close to another planet other than Earth and return scientific data. It was the first spacecraft to measure the temperature of Venus. It found that the temperature was about 900 degrees Fahrenheit. We lost contact on January 2nd, 1963.
The Mir Space Station Core Module June 3, 2009
Posted by sputnikandmore in Firsts, Space Stations.comments closed
The Mir Space Station Core Module is the center of the Mir Space Station. It was launched in February 1986. The Core Module was the first, and main part of the space station. The main computer, living area, power, and communication devices are in the Core Module.
