1983 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1983 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 25 Jan Launch of Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS): The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), a joint project of the U.S., the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, was launched on January 25, 1983. It was the first space telescope to survey the entire sky in infrared wavelengths, mapping 96% of the celestial sphere and detecting about 350,000 infrared sources. The mission concluded on November 21, 1983, after a ten-month operation. source: jpl.nasa.gov
- 20 Feb Japan's Tenma X-ray Satellite Launch: Japan's Tenma X-ray astronomy satellite, also known as ASTRO-B before launch, was successfully launched on February 20, 1983, at 05:10 UTC from the Kagoshima Space Center using an M-3S-3 rocket. Developed by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Tenma was designed to conduct high-resolution spectroscopy of X-ray emission from stars and observe gamma-ray bursts. It operated until November 1985, with its mission concluding on November 22, 1985. source: heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov
- 07 Apr First Space Shuttle Spacewalk: On April 7, 1983, during the STS-6 mission, astronauts Story Musgrave and Donald Peterson conducted the first extravehicular activity (EVA) from a Space Shuttle. This spacewalk lasted 4 hours and 17 minutes, marking the first American EVA since 1974. The mission also deployed the first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-1). source: nasa.gov
- 17 Apr India launches RS-D2 satellite aboard SLV-3 rocket: On April 17, 1983, India successfully launched the RS-D2 remote sensing satellite into orbit using the indigenously developed Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV-3). This marked the second developmental launch of the SLV-3, following a partial failure in 1981, and demonstrated India's growing capabilities in space technology. source: upi.com
- 28 Apr NASA launches GOES-F satellite: On April 28, 1983, NASA launched the GOES-F satellite, later designated as GOES-6, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The satellite was placed into geostationary orbit to provide continuous weather monitoring for the United States. GOES-6 operated until 1992, serving as a key component in NOAA's weather observation system. source: nesdis.noaa.gov
- 19 May NASA launches Intelsat V F-6 communications satellite: On May 19, 1983, NASA successfully launched the Intelsat V F-6 communications satellite, also known as Intelsat 506, into geostationary orbit. The satellite, built by Ford Aerospace, was designed to provide enhanced telecommunications capacity for INTELSAT's global network, featuring 21 C-band and 4 Ku-band transponders capable of supporting 12,000 voice circuits and two television channels. The launch took place at 22:26 UTC from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, using an Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR launch vehicle. source: hq.nasa.gov
- 13 Jun Pioneer 10 crosses Neptune's orbit, leaving the solar system: On June 13, 1983, NASA's Pioneer 10 spacecraft became the first human-made object to leave the solar system by crossing the orbit of Neptune, the outermost known planet at that time. This milestone marked the end of its mission to explore the outer planets and the beginning of its journey into interstellar space. source: nasa.gov
- 16 Jun European Space Agency Launches Communication Satellite: The European Space Agency successfully launched the European Communications Satellite 1, also known as Oscar 10, advancing satellite communication technologies.
- 22 Jun Space Shuttle retrieves satellite from orbit: On June 22, 1983, the Space Shuttle Challenger successfully deployed and retrieved the West German Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS-01) using the Remote Manipulator System (RMS). This marked the first time a satellite was retrieved from orbit by a spacecraft. The mission demonstrated the shuttle's capability to deploy and recover satellites, a significant advancement in space operations. source: washingtonpost.com
- 24 Jun Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space: On June 18, 1983, astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman to fly in space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-7. The mission lasted six days, and Ride safely landed at Edwards Air Force Base on June 24, 1983. source: nasa.gov
- 27 Jun Soviet Soyuz T-9 mission docks with Salyut 7 space station: On June 27, 1983, the Soviet Soyuz T-9 spacecraft, carrying cosmonauts Vladimir Lyakhov and Aleksandr Aleksandrov, successfully docked with the Salyut 7 space station. This mission marked the fourth expedition to Salyut 7, following the unsuccessful Soyuz T-8 attempt. The crew transferred approximately 3.5 tons of cargo from the uncrewed spacecraft Kosmos 1443 to the station, supporting ongoing scientific research. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 28 Jun Galaxy 1 communications satellite launched by Hughes Communications: On June 28, 1983, Hughes Communications launched Galaxy 1, the first commercial communication satellite owned by the company, atop a Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite was equipped with 24 C-band transponders to transmit cable programming across the United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. source: upi.com
- 26 Jul Space Shuttle Challenger's preparations for STS-8 mission on July 26, 1983: On July 26, 1983, the Space Shuttle Challenger was moved from the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center. The shuttle was mated to the external tank and solid rocket boosters, marking a significant step in preparations for the upcoming STS-8 mission. source: forum.nasaspaceflight.com
- 28 Jul NASA launches Telstar-3A communications satellite: On July 28, 1983, NASA successfully launched the Telstar-3A communications satellite aboard a Delta 3920 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellite, also known as Telstar 301, was operated by AT&T and provided telecommunication services to North America. It was part of the Telstar series, which began with Telstar 1 in 1962. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Nov Soyuz T-9 mission concludes with safe landing: The Soviet Soyuz T-9 mission, launched on June 27, 1983, successfully concluded on November 23, 1983, after 149 days in space. The crew, Commander Vladimir Lyakhov and Flight Engineer Aleksandr Aleksandrov, conducted various scientific experiments aboard the Salyut 7 space station before returning to Earth. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 08 Dec Space Shuttle Columbia's STS-9 mission landing at Edwards Air Force Base: On December 8, 1983, Space Shuttle Columbia completed its sixth mission, STS-9, by landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The mission, which began on November 28, 1983, lasted 10 days, 7 hours, 47 minutes, and 24 seconds, during which the crew conducted 73 separate experiments in various scientific fields. Notably, two of the orbiter's three auxiliary power units caught fire due to a hydrazine leak shortly before landing, but the crew landed safely without significant damage to the spacecraft. source: nasa.gov
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