1990 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1990 Space & Exploration Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 08 Jan Valery Polyakov's record-breaking space mission: On January 8, 1994, Soviet cosmonaut Valery Polyakov embarked on a mission to the Mir space station, setting a record for the longest single stay in space. He spent 437 days aboard Mir, conducting scientific research and completing over 7,000 orbits of Earth, before returning on March 22, 1995. source: britannica.com
- 14 Feb Voyager 1 captures 'Pale Blue Dot' photograph of Earth: On February 14, 1990, NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft took a photograph of Earth from a distance of 3.7 billion miles (6 billion kilometers), capturing our planet as a tiny speck of light. This image, known as the 'Pale Blue Dot,' was part of a series of images intended to create the first 'family portrait' of the solar system. The photograph was taken just minutes before Voyager 1 powered off its cameras to conserve energy for its journey into interstellar space. source: science.nasa.gov
- 06 Mar SR-71 Blackbird sets transcontinental speed record: On March 6, 1990, the SR-71 Blackbird, piloted by Lt. Col. Ed Yeilding and Lt. Col. Joseph T. Vida, set multiple speed records during its final flight from Palmdale, California, to Washington Dulles International Airport. The aircraft covered the 2,299.7-mile distance in 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 20 seconds, averaging 2,124 mph. This flight marked the end of the SR-71's service, with the aircraft subsequently delivered to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. source: collections.si.edu
- 05 Apr Pegasus air-launched space booster first flight: On April 5, 1990, the Pegasus air-launched space booster successfully completed its maiden flight. Released from a NASA B-52 aircraft at 43,198 feet, the three-stage solid-propellant rocket injected its 423-pound payload into a 273 x 370 nautical mile orbit with a 94-degree inclination. This mission validated the unique air-launched concept and the vehicle's design, marking a significant milestone in commercial spaceflight. source: nasa.gov
What happened in 1990?
Discover what the world looked like in 1990: