1987 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1987 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 20 Mar NASA launches Palapa B2P satellite for Indonesia: On March 20, 1987, NASA successfully launched the Palapa B2P communications satellite for Indonesia. The satellite was placed into geostationary orbit to enhance Indonesia's domestic and regional communications capabilities. Initially operated by PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, it was acquired by the Philippine company Mabuhay Satellite Corporation in 1996, becoming the first Philippine satellite in orbit. source: space.jpl.nasa.gov
- 15 May Soviet Union launches Polyus orbital weapons platform: On May 15, 1987, the Soviet Union launched the Polyus spacecraft atop the Energia rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome. Designed as a prototype orbital weapons platform, Polyus failed to achieve orbit due to a software error during its separation from the launch vehicle, resulting in its re-entry into the Pacific Ocean. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 24 Aug Announcement of possible Martian tornadoes: On August 24, 1987, researchers John A. Grant and Peter H. Schultz published a study in the journal Science, suggesting that dark, ephemeral, filamentary lineations on the Martian surface might be formed during the passage of intense atmospheric vortices, potentially similar to tornadoes. This study provided evidence for the existence of such phenomena on Mars. source: ui.adsabs.harvard.edu
- 01 Dec NASA awards $5 billion contracts for Space Station Freedom construction: On December 1, 1987, NASA awarded contracts totaling $5 billion for the construction of the Space Station Freedom, a manned orbital outpost. The contracts were awarded to McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co., Boeing Aerospace Co., Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International, and General Electric Co. These contracts were expected to create approximately 12,000 jobs across the United States. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Dec Soyuz TM-4 mission to Mir: On December 21, 1987, the Soviet Union launched Soyuz TM-4, carrying cosmonauts Vladimir Titov, Musa Manarov, and Anatoli Levchenko to the Mir space station. Titov and Manarov embarked on a long-duration mission, setting a new spaceflight record by spending nearly 366 days in orbit. Levchenko returned to Earth a week later with the crew of Soyuz TM-3. The mission was notable for its scientific experiments and spacewalks. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 29 Dec Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Romanenko returns after record 326-day space mission: On December 29, 1987, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Romanenko returned to Earth after a record-breaking 326-day mission aboard the Mir space station. This achievement surpassed the previous endurance record of 237 days set in 1984. Romanenko's mission was part of the Soviet Union's efforts to prepare for longer-duration spaceflights, including potential missions to Mars. source: washingtonpost.com
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