What's New in Lunar & Planetary Science
The Israeli Beresheet lunar lander mission is scheduled to launch on 21 February at 8:45 p.m. EST (01:58 UT, 19 February).
On 03 January, the CNSA (China) Chang'e 4 lunar mission made the first landing ever on the far side of the Moon and deployed the Yutu-2 rover. They successfully ended hibernation after their first lunar night at the end of January and are continuing operations.
NASA's New Horizons mission flew within 3500 km of Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69 (nicknamed "Ultima Thule") on 01 January 2019 at 05:33 UT. Data and images from the flyby continue to trickle in. More...
This Day in Planetary and Lunar Exploration History
- 1962
- Launch of Mercury Atlas 6 "Friendship 7", John Glenn becomes first American to orbit Earth.
- 1965
- Ranger 8 returns pictures of the Moon before impacting the surface.
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- NASA Official: Dr. David R. Williams
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- Last updated: 30 November 2018