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As we bid farewell to 2020, while it has been a difficult year for so many, one positive has been the steps forward we have made in space exploration.
Here is my top ten..
Here is my top ten..
1/ @SpaceX launched astronauts to space for the first time on May 30.
@AstroBehnken and @Astro_Wheels became the first two astronauts to ride aboard Crew Dragon.
It was also the first time that @NASA astronauts had launched from US soil since July 2011.
@AstroBehnken and @Astro_Wheels became the first two astronauts to ride aboard Crew Dragon.
It was also the first time that @NASA astronauts had launched from US soil since July 2011.
2/ NASA’s Perseverance rover was launched to Mars.
Due to land on the Red Planet on Feb 18 2021, the mission – hunting for past signs of life- will last a year and also has the first helicopter to ever be flown on the planet!
Due to land on the Red Planet on Feb 18 2021, the mission – hunting for past signs of life- will last a year and also has the first helicopter to ever be flown on the planet!
3/ Phosphine gas was claimed to be detected on the planet of Venus.
This could be exciting as it could mean simple life might exist on the planet.
But there is still a lot of debate around this discovery https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/is-there-phosphine-on-venus/4012848.article
This could be exciting as it could mean simple life might exist on the planet.
But there is still a lot of debate around this discovery https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/is-there-phosphine-on-venus/4012848.article
4/ Water ice was confirmed on the surface of the Moon.
Studies also showed it is more common than first thought, with water ice identified on the Moons sunlit surface.
Potential here is huge for future Moon explorers.
Studies also showed it is more common than first thought, with water ice identified on the Moons sunlit surface.
Potential here is huge for future Moon explorers.
5/ NASA’s @OSIRISREx mission touched the surface of the asteroid Bennu, where it collected a sample of the asteroid to be returned to Earth.
This mission aims to find out more about our origin and our destiny.
Where did we come from, where are we heading.
This mission aims to find out more about our origin and our destiny.
Where did we come from, where are we heading.
6/ Four astronauts and one Baby Yoda flew to @iss aboard @spacex Crew Dragon in November.
This was the first official crew mission for SpaceX.
This was the first official crew mission for SpaceX.
7/ Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission successful returned a sample of the asteroid Ryugu back to Earth.
Landing in Australia 6 years after it first launched to space.
The samples will help scientists learn more about the history of the solar system and where we came from!
Photo @JAXA
Landing in Australia 6 years after it first launched to space.
The samples will help scientists learn more about the history of the solar system and where we came from!
Photo @JAXA
8/ China’s Chang’e 5 returned 1.7kg of Moon rocks to Earth.
This successful mission made China only the third nation to ever return lunar samples to Earth.
Photo Xinhua
This successful mission made China only the third nation to ever return lunar samples to Earth.
Photo Xinhua
9/ NASA announced it’s Artemis astronauts.
Among this group is the first woman and next man to walk on the surface of the Moon.
Among this group is the first woman and next man to walk on the surface of the Moon.
10/ And some of us (weather permitting) were treated to the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in the night sky.
Also known as the ‘Christmas Star’ it was last witnessed nearly 800 years ago..
PIC NASA
Also known as the ‘Christmas Star’ it was last witnessed nearly 800 years ago..
PIC NASA
