Apr 19

Space Rocket History #437 – Mariner 10 – Venus & Mercury

Posted on April 19, 2024 by Mike Annis

Scientists had long been intrigued by Mercury, the innermost planet of our solar system. Despite its proximity to the Sun, Mercury remained largely unexplored, with many questions remaining about its surface features, geological composition, and magnetic field. The scientific community recognized the need for a dedicated mission to study Mercury up close and unlock its secrets.

Mariner 10 with Instruments Labeled

Mariner 10’s view of Venus

Mariner 10’s Second Flyby of Mercury Showing Equator to South Pole

Apr 20

Space Rocket History #387 – Skylab – Pre-history – Dyna-Soar & MOL

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Mike Annis

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NASA feasibility studies determined that a research space laboratory could be placed in orbit by 1967. However, to fund such a project it had to be justified by achieving a national goal, or an important science goal, or test of technology.

X-20 Dyna-Soar

MOL Configuration

Gemini B

Apr 06

Space Rocket History #386 – Skylab – Pre-history

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Mike Annis

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A scant five months after Apollo 17 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean in December of 1972, NASA launched Skylab to begin a new phase of American manned spaceflight – space station operations.

Outpost

A Home in Space

Apollo ‘A’

Dec 28

An Encore Presentation of Space Rocket History #17 – The Mercury 7

Posted on December 28, 2016 by spac9750

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On April 1, 1959, Robert Gilruth, the head of the Space Task Group, Charles Donlan, Warren North, and Stanley White selected the first American astronauts. The “Mercury Seven” were Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper, Jr., John H. Glenn, Jr., Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Alan B. Shepard, Jr., and Donald K. “Deke” Slayton.