1966 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1966 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 23 Jan NASA calls for astronomical instrument design: On January 23, 1966, NASA issued a call for proposals for the design of astronomical instruments to be used in future space missions. This initiative aimed to enhance the capabilities of space telescopes and other observational tools. source: ntrs.nasa.gov
- 03 Feb First operational weather satellite launched: On February 3, 1966, the first operational weather satellite, named TIROS-1, was launched into orbit. This satellite provided crucial data for weather forecasting and marked a significant advancement in meteorological science. source: nasa.gov
- 06 Jun Fatal Mid-Air Collision of Experimental Aircraft: An XB-70 Valkyrie prototype was destroyed in a mid-air collision with an F-104 Starfighter chase plane during a photographic mission. NASA pilot Joseph A. Walker and USAF test pilot Carl Cross were both killed in the tragic accident.
- 25 Jun Soviet Weather Satellite Launch: On June 25, 1966, the Soviet Union launched Kosmos 122, a weather satellite designed to obtain images of cloud cover, snow cover, and ice fields, as well as measure radiation fluxes in the Earth-atmosphere system. The launch took place at 10:19 GMT from Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Vostok-2M rocket. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Oct First Pacific Communications Satellite Launch: The first Pacific communications satellite, named Early Bird, was launched on October 26, 1966. This satellite marked a significant advancement in telecommunications, enabling direct communication across the Pacific Ocean. source: nasa.gov
- 19 Dec UN Outer Space Treaty adoption: The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, on December 19, 1966. The treaty was opened for signature on January 27, 1967, and entered into force on October 10, 1967. source: britannica.com
What happened in 1966?
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