1986 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1986 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 07 Jan NASA Space Shuttle Columbia launch delayed due to weather: On January 7, 1986, the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-61-C was postponed at T-9 minutes due to adverse weather conditions at both transoceanic abort landing sites in Morón, Spain, and Dakar, Senegal. This was one of several delays leading up to the successful launch on January 12, 1986. source: nasa.gov
- 18 Jan Space Shuttle Columbia lands after STS-61-C mission: On January 18, 1986, Space Shuttle Columbia successfully landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, concluding the STS-61-C mission. The mission, launched on January 12, 1986, was the seventh flight of Columbia and included the deployment of the SATCOM KU-1 communications satellite. The crew consisted of Commander Robert L. Gibson, Pilot Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Mission Specialists Franklin R. Chang-Díaz, Steven A. Hawley, and George D. Nelson, and Payload Specialists Robert J. Cenker and U.S. Representative Bill Nelson. source: nasa.gov
- 19 Feb Soviet Union launches Mir space station: On February 19, 1986, the Soviet Union launched the first module of the Mir space station, marking a significant advancement in their space program. The core module, launched atop a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, provided living accommodations, life support, command and control, and communications systems. This event was reported by the BBC on February 20, 1986. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 08 Mar Japanese probe Suisei observes Halley's Comet: On March 8, 1986, Japan's Suisei spacecraft conducted a flyby of Halley's Comet, capturing ultraviolet images of its hydrogen corona and measuring solar wind parameters. The probe passed within 151,000 kilometers of the comet, transmitting valuable data on its composition and behavior. source: if.ufrgs.br
- 11 Mar Japanese space probe Sakigake passes Halley's Comet: On March 11, 1986, Japan's first interplanetary spacecraft, Sakigake, conducted a flyby of Halley's Comet at a distance of approximately 6.99 million kilometers. Launched on January 7, 1985, Sakigake was part of the international Halley Armada, a series of missions aimed at studying the comet during its 1986 passage through the inner Solar System. The spacecraft's primary objective was to observe the interplanetary medium and magnetic fields, providing valuable data for subsequent missions. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 24 Mar NASA publishes "Strategy for Safely Returning the Space Shuttle to Flight Status": On March 24, 1986, NASA released a comprehensive strategy aimed at safely resuming Space Shuttle flights following the Challenger disaster. This plan outlined specific actions to address safety concerns and implement recommendations from the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident. source: nasa.gov
- 28 Mar International Cometary Explorer provides solar wind data on Halley's comet: On March 28, 1986, the International Cometary Explorer (ICE) spacecraft, formerly known as ISEE-3, provided upstream solar wind data on Halley's comet. This data was crucial for understanding the interaction between the solar wind and the comet's environment. source: science.nasa.gov
- 31 May Ariane 2's maiden flight fails to deliver Intelsat VA F-14 satellite to orbit: On May 31, 1986, the European Space Agency's Ariane 2 rocket experienced a failure during its first launch attempt. The third stage failed to ignite, resulting in the destruction of the Intelsat VA F-14 communications satellite intended for geostationary orbit. This incident led to a suspension of Ariane 2 flights until September 1987, after which all subsequent launches were successful. source: arianespace.com
- 14 Jul NASA implements Rogers Commission recommendations: On July 14, 1986, NASA submitted a report to President Reagan detailing actions taken to implement the recommendations of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident. The report outlined measures in areas such as solid rocket motor design, shuttle management structure, safety organization, and improved communication to enhance the safety and reliability of the Space Shuttle program. source: ntrs.nasa.gov
- 15 Aug Reagan orders construction of fourth space shuttle orbiter to replace Challenger: On August 15, 1986, President Ronald Reagan announced the decision to build a fourth space shuttle orbiter to replace the Challenger, which was destroyed on January 28, 1986. This move aimed to restore the shuttle fleet's capabilities and support future space exploration initiatives. Additionally, Reagan declared that NASA would cease launching commercial satellites, encouraging private industry to take over this role. source: reaganlibrary.gov
- 05 Sep NASA awards study contracts to five aerospace firms for new booster designs: On September 5, 1986, NASA awarded $500,000 contracts to five aerospace companies to study potential new designs for shuttle solid-fuel booster rockets. This initiative aimed to develop second-generation shuttle boosters following the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986. The selected firms were tasked with providing conceptual designs for the next generation of shuttle boosters. source: newsvoice.info
- 10 Sep Bryan O'Connor appointed chairman of NASA's Space Flight Safety Panel: In September 1986, NASA appointed astronaut Bryan O'Connor as the chairman of its newly established Space Flight Safety Panel. The panel was tasked with overseeing all NASA manned space activities affecting flight safety, reporting directly to the Associate Administrator for Space Flight. O'Connor's appointment aimed to enhance the agency's commitment to astronaut safety following the Challenger disaster earlier that year. source: nasa.gov
- 31 Oct Robert S. Mulliken, Nobel laureate, dies at 90: Robert S. Mulliken, an American physical chemist renowned for developing molecular orbital theory, passed away on October 31, 1986, in Arlington, Virginia. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1966 for his fundamental work on chemical bonds and the electronic structure of molecules. source: nobelprize.org
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