On Feb. 12, 2001, NASA landed a spacecraft on an asteroid! After a five-year mission, the NEAR-Shoemaker spacecraft touched down on the near-Earth asteroid 433 Eros.
This was the primary comfortable touchdown on an asteroid, and it was imagined to be the very last thing NEAR-Shoemaker ever did. However NASA was stunned to search out that the spacecraft was nonetheless intact and completely effective after hitting the asteroid. As an alternative of ending the mission as deliberate, NASA spent a pair extra weeks finding out Eros from up shut.
All through its mission, it studied issues like the asteroid’s composition and magnetic area, nevertheless it additionally took the primary close-up asteroid photos ever taken by a spacecraft in orbit.
Compensate for our entire “On This Day In Space” series on YouTube with this playlist.
Historical past of NASA: $22.99 at Magazines Direct
Uncover the story of how and why NASA was created, its biggest triumphs, darkest days, and of the occasions it exceeded all potential hopes. A story of journey, heroism and resourcefulness, study of the area company’s biggest achievements and the way — over six a long time — the group has constantly and tirelessly devoted itself to its founding precept: that “actions in area needs to be dedicated to peaceable functions for the advantage of all humankind”. View Deal
On This Day in Area Archive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries
Nonetheless not sufficient area? Do not forget to take a look at our Space Image of the Day, and on the weekends our Best Space Photos and Top Space News Stories of the week.
E mail Hanneke Weitering at hweitering@area.com or observe her @hannekescience. Observe us @Spacedotcom and on Fb.