On September 13, 1959 UTC, Luna 2 became the first human-made object to reach another celestial body. Follow the flight, science, impact and date discrepancy.
Tag: space race
September 18, 1959 | Vanguard 3 – Early Space Science Satellite
On September 18, 1959, the United States launched Vanguard 3, a geophysical satellite that measured Earth’s magnetic field, radiation belts, and micrometeoroid impacts. Its mission laid foundations for modern satellite science and space weather research.
August 7, 1959 | Explorer 6 and the First Picture of Earth from Space
On August 7, 1959, the U.S. satellite Explorer 6 sent back the first photo of Earth from space. This historic moment launched a new era in weather tracking, Earth science, and satellite imaging.