Monday, September 15, 2025
On this date in 1968, the Soviet spacecraft Zond 5 was launched and later became the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon and return to Earth. Zond 5 carried a large biological payload, including two Steppe tortoises. The two tortoises survived their flight around the Moon and were alive upon their return to Earth after six days in space.
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Today marks International Ozone Day celebrating the anniversary of the Montreal Protocol signed in 1987. Signers of the Montreal Protocol agreed to phase out the production and consumption of man-made compounds known to deplete the ozone layer. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon tetrachloride, halons, and other harmful compounds have been banned by over 198 countries thanks to the Montreal Protocol.
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
On this date in 1976, NASA publicly unveiled the first Space Shuttle prototype during a ceremony in Palmdale, California. Originally to be named Space Shuttle Constitution, the orbiter took the namesake of the famed Star Trek starship USS Enterprise, after President Ford reportedly received thousands of petition signatures from avid Star Trek fans across the country.
Thursday, September 18, 2025
On this date in 1980, Cuban cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo-Mendéz launched aboard Soyuz 38 becoming the first person of color and the first Latin American in Space. Tamayo-Mendéz speant several days aboard Soviet space laboratory Salyut 6 and engaged in various experiments.
Friday, September 19, 2025
On this date in 1961, NASA announced that location of the new ‘Manned Spacecraft Center’ would be in Houston, Texas. This was the conclusion of an intensive nationwide study by a site selection team. The Manned Spacecraft Center would be the command center for the Apollo lunar-landing missions and all future human spaceflight missions.
Saturday, September 20, 2025
On this date in 2013, NASA officially ended the Deep Impact spacecraft mission which launched in 2005 to study comets. The spacecraft released an impactor to crash into the comet Tempel 1, creating an ejecta plume that could be studied for chemical composition. In its extended mission, Deep Impact would go on to study the comets Hartley 2, Garradd, and Ison.
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Today, Saturn reaches opposition. Opposition occurs when an astronomical body appears opposite the Sun in our sky as viewed from Earth. Opposition is typically one of the best times to view Saturn as it is near its closest approach to Earth and appears at its largest in brightest in the sky. Saturn will rise at sunset and will be visible all night long.
Subjects
