Space Rocket History Podcast

Once its antennas were deployed, Explorer 49 was the largest human-made object to orbit the Moon as of 2022.

The post Space Rocket History #385 – Copernicus (OAO-3), SAS-2, Venera 8, Luna 20 & 21, and Explorer 49 first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

Launched in 1972 and weighing 258 kilograms (569 pounds), Pioneer 10 completed the first mission to the planet Jupiter and became the first of five artificial objects to achieve the escape velocity needed to leave the Solar System.

The post Space Rocket History #384 – Pioneer 10 first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

“The UK 4 (United Kingdom Research Satellite 4), a.k.a. Ariel 4, was a small observatory designed to investigate the interactions between electromagnetic waves, plasmas, and energetic particles present in the upper ionosphere.” Wikipedia

The post Space Rocket History #383 – Ariel 4, Prospero X-3, Shinsei, Isis-2, And Our 9th Anniversary first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

This is how Deputy Chief Designer for OKB-1, Boris Chertok described the launch of Mars 3. “The red disk of the Sun was just touching the horizon and dramatically illuminated the rocket as it lifted off with a roar. Separation … Continue reading →

The post Space Rocket History #382 – Mars 2 & 3 and Luna 18 & 19 first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

Mariner 8 and 9 were virtually identical and designed to continue the atmospheric studies begun by Mariner 6 and 7, and to hopefully map over 70% of the Martian surface.

The post Space Rocket History #381 – Mariner 8 & 9 first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

The Apollo 17 mission was the most productive and trouble-free piloted mission to the moon and represented the culmination of continual advancements in hardware, procedures, training, planning, operations, and scientific experiments.

The post Space Rocket History #380 – Apollo 17 – The Finale first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

At 4:56 Houston time, Gene rested the tip of his left index finger on the yellow ignition button.

The post Space Rocket History #379 – Apollo 17 – Lunar Lift off, Docking & Orbital Science first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

“As we leave the Moon and Taurus-Littrow, we leave as we came, and God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo Seventeen.” – Gene Cernan’s final words from the surface of … Continue reading →

The post Space Rocket History #378 – Apollo 17 – Moonwalk 3 – The Last Steps on the Moon first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

“How can there be orange soil on the Moon?! (Pause) Jack, that is really orange.” Gene Cernan

The post Space Rocket History #377 – Apollo 17 – Moonwalk 1 & 2 – Orange Soil first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.

Gene Cernan’s first words were “As I step off at the surface of Taurus-Littrow, I’d like to dedicate the first steps of Apollo Seventeen to all those who made it possible.”

The post Space Rocket History #376 – Apollo 17 – Moonwalk 1 first appeared on Space Rocket History Podcast.