1781: Discovery of Uranus

On March 13, 1781, astronomer Sir William Herschel discovered Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun. This marked the first identification of a planet not known to ancient civilizations, expanding our understanding of the solar system. ​

1969: Apollo 9 Splashdown

On March 13, 1969, NASA’s Apollo 9 mission concluded successfully with a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean after a 10-day mission. The crew tested the Lunar Module in Earth’s orbit, a crucial step toward the subsequent lunar landing missions.

2025: Upcoming Total Lunar Eclipse

Looking ahead, on March 13-14, 2025, a total lunar eclipse is expected to be visible across most of the United States. This celestial event will offer observers a chance to witness the Earth’s shadow entirely covering the Moon, resulting in a “Blood Moon” appearance.

These events underscore the dynamic and evolving nature of our exploration and understanding of space.

1781: Discovery of Uranus

On March 13, 1781, English astronomer William Herschel observed the planet Uranus, expanding our understanding of the solar system.

2001: NEAR Shoemaker Spacecraft Lands on Asteroid Eros

On March 12, 2001, the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) Shoemaker spacecraft landed on the asteroid Eros, returning close-up images and data about the asteroid’s surface features.

2002: STS-109 Mission Concludes

On March 12, 2002, the Space Shuttle Columbia landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, concluding the STS-109 mission. This mission involved servicing the Hubble Space Telescope, including the installation of the Advanced Camera for Surveys.

2008: STS-123 Mission Launch

On March 12, 2008, the Space Shuttle Endeavour, mission STS-123, was en route to the International Space Station. The crew conducted inspections of the shuttle’s wings and nose for any sign of launch damage, prepared their spacesuits for the planned spacewalks, and gathered tools needed for docking. ​

2009: NASA Targets March 12 for Space Shuttle Launch

In 2009, NASA targeted March 12 for the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. This decision came as engineers worked to replace suspect fuel valves, ensuring the safety and success of the mission. ​

2015: Death of Architect Michael Graves

On March 12, 2015, American architect and designer Michael Graves, a principal figure in the postmodernist movement, passed away at age 80.

These events highlight the diverse milestones in space exploration and related fields that have occurred on March 12 over the years.​

1967: Completion of AS-500D Configuration I Testing

On March 11, 1967, NASA concluded the AS-500D Configuration I testing with a special test to verify the flight control system. This series of tests was crucial in validating the Saturn V space vehicle’s design and performance, paving the way for future Apollo missions. ​nasa.gov

1969: Apollo 10 Rollout

On March 11, 1969, NASA rolled out the Apollo 10 spacecraft to the launch pad. This mission served as a “dress rehearsal” for the first Moon landing, testing all components and procedures without actually landing. The successful execution of Apollo 10 was a critical step toward achieving the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing later that year.​

2001: STS-102 Mission and Record-Setting Spacewalk

On March 11, 2001, during the STS-102 mission, NASA astronauts Susan J. Helms and James S. Voss conducted a spacewalk from the Space Shuttle Discovery’s airlock. They performed various tasks, including assembly and maintenance work on the International Space Station (ISS). Their extravehicular activity (EVA) lasted 8 hours and 56 minutes, setting a record for the longest spacewalk at that time. ​

2008: Integration of Japan’s Kibo Laboratory Module into the ISS

On March 11, 2008, the first segment of Japan’s Kibo laboratory module was added to the International Space Station. This integration enhanced the station’s research capabilities, allowing for a broader range of scientific experiments in microgravity. ​issnationallab.org

These milestones underscore the collaborative and progressive nature of space exploration, with each event contributing to our expanding understanding of space and our ability to operate within it.

1961: Radar Signals Successfully Reflected from Venus

On March 10, 1961, scientists at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory achieved the first definitive detection of radar signals bounced off Venus and returned to Earth. This experiment confirmed that radar could be used to study planets, marking a significant advancement in planetary science. ​

1969: Apollo 9 Mission Continues Testing Lunar Module

During the Apollo 9 mission (March 3–13, 1969), March 10 marked the eighth day in space for astronauts James McDivitt, David Scott, and Rusty Schweickart. They conducted tests of the Lunar Module (LM) and Command/Service Module (CSM) systems, including firing the Service Propulsion System (SPS) engine to adjust their orbit. These tests were crucial for validating the spacecraft’s performance in preparation for future lunar landings.

2006: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Arrives at Mars

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) successfully entered Martian orbit on March 10, 2006. The MRO has since been instrumental in studying Mars’ atmosphere, surface, and subsurface, enhancing our understanding of the planet’s history and climate. ​

2025: Scheduled Launch of NASA’s SPHEREx and PUNCH Missions

As of March 10, 2025, NASA and SpaceX are preparing to launch two science missions—SPHEREx and PUNCH—aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. SPHEREx aims to survey the sky in near-infrared light to answer fundamental questions about the universe’s origin, while PUNCH will study the Sun’s outer atmosphere and solar wind.

These events highlight the diverse milestones in space exploration that have occurred on March 10 over the years.