Astronomy Magazine
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Covers space missions, planetary science, and space technology for enthusiasts
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News•Mar 1, 2026
March 1, 1966: Venera 3 Crashes Into Venus
On March 1 1966 the Soviet probe Venera 3 slammed into Venus, becoming the first spacecraft to reach another planet’s surface. The mission followed a series of earlier Venera attempts, many of which failed to leave Earth orbit or transmit data. Weighing roughly 2,000 lb, Venera 3 carried a suite of atmospheric instruments and a detachable descent module. Although the probe failed to transmit after impact, its crash marked a milestone in interplanetary exploration.
By Astronomy Magazine
News•Feb 28, 2026
Feb. 28, 1997: GRB 970228 Bursts on the Scene
On February 28 1997 the BeppoSAX satellite recorded gamma‑ray burst GRB 970228, an 80‑second flash that was quickly localized. The precise coordinates enabled observatories worldwide to launch coordinated, multi‑wavelength follow‑up campaigns. A month later the Hubble Space Telescope imaged the fading afterglow and...
By Astronomy Magazine
News•Feb 20, 2026
NASA Report Declares Starliner Incident a Type A Mishap
NASA announced that the 2024 Boeing Starliner crewed flight test has been classified as a Type A mishap, the same designation used for the Challenger and Columbia disasters. The mishap stemmed from thruster failures, Boeing propulsion design flaws, and NASA’s overly...
By Astronomy Magazine
News•Feb 20, 2026
Feb. 20, 1962: John Glenn’s First Trip to Space
On February 20, 1962, NASA launched Mercury‑Atlas 6, sending John Glenn aboard the Friendship 7 capsule into orbit. Glenn completed three Earth orbits in 4 hours 55 minutes, becoming the first American to orbit the planet. The mission faced a sensor fault and required manual piloting for the...
By Astronomy Magazine
News•Feb 19, 2026
Feb. 19, 1994: Clementine Enters Lunar Orbit
Clementine was launched in January 1994 on a 22‑month, under‑$80 million development cycle and became the United States' first spacecraft to orbit the Moon in over two decades. During its 71‑day lunar phase the probe transmitted 1.6 million images, mapped the entire...
By Astronomy Magazine