Today in Science History

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wonder what happened on this date in science history?” If so, you’re in luck! The site Today In Science History is loaded with fascinating science info. For instance, here’s some fun examples from today’s date in history:

Voyager 2: In 1977, NASA launched Voyager 2, on a Titan-Centaur rocket. It was an unmanned spacecraft to explore the outer planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, where it also discovered and photographed many previously unknown moons, rings and other features of the planets. A 12-inch copper phonograph record carried on board contained greetings in dozens of languages, samples of music and sounds of nature. Voyager 1 was launched similarly one month later, on 5 Sep 1977.

First animals return from space flight: In 1960, USSR recovered two dogs, Belka and Strelka ("Squirrel" and "Little Arrow" in Russian), the first live Russian dogs to be recovered from orbit. In preparation for manned spaceflight, Korabl-Sputnik-2 (Spaceship Satellite-2, also known as Sputnik 5), launched 19 Aug 1960, also carried 40 mice, 2 rats and a variety of plants. After a day in orbit, its retrorocket was fired and the landing capsule returned to Earth. The dogs were the first living organisms to return from space. Earlier, on 3 Nov 1957, the USSR lauched Sputnik 2, with a stray Siberian husky, Laika ("Barker"). By design, it did not return to Earth; Laika died in space a few days later.

Telegram: In 1911, the first cable message sent around the world from the U.S. by commercial telegraph was transmitted from New York City. It read "This message sent around the world," left the New York Times building at 7:00 pm and was received at 7:16 pm after travelling nearly 29,000 miles through 16 relays via the Azores, Gibraltar, India, Phillipines, Midway, Guam, Hawaii and San Francisco.

For even more fun facts from today, or to check out a particular date, visit www.todayinsci.com