on this day in space

On Sept. 10, 2011, NASA's GRAIL spacecraft launched on a mission to the moon! Here's why the moon gravity mapping mission mattered.

On Sept. 9, 1982, the first private rocket, Conestoga 1, launched into space from a Texas cattle ranch. Here's why it mattered.

On Sept. 8, 2004, NASA's Genesis spacecraft crash-landed in Utah after its parachutes failed to deploy. Here's why it mattered.

On Sept. 7, 1995, the space shuttle Endeavour launched on mission STS-69, NASA's 100th astronaut flight. Here's why it mattered.

On Sept. 6, 1947, a V-2 rocket launched from an U.S. Navy aircraft carrier for the first time. Here's why it mattered.

On Sept. 5, 1977, Voyager 1 began its epic journey through deep space with a glorious morning launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Here's why it mattered.

On Sept. 4, 1962, NASA's Mariner 2 spacecraft performed the first-ever rocket maneuver in deep space as it did a quick mid-course correction on its way to Venus. Here's why it mattered.

On Sept. 3, 2006, a European satellite named SMART-1 crashed into the moon! Here's why it mattered.

On Sept. 2, 2016, the European Space Agency finally located Philae, its long-lost comet lander on the surface of the Comet 67P. Here's why it mattered.

On Sept. 1, 1979, NASA's robotic space probe Pioneer 11 became the first spacecraft to fly by Saturn. Here's why it mattered.