The global space industry had an unprecedented year, with numerous breakthroughs and historic events that pushed the boundaries of space exploration. SpaceX, led by billionaire Elon Musk, made headlines when it successfully caught a Starship rocket booster in mid-air using giant robotic arms. This innovative feat marked a significant milestone for the company.
Meanwhile, China achieved its first-ever samples from the far side of the moon with the Chang’e-6 lunar lander. The mission provided scientists with valuable insights into how the moon was formed and marked a major achievement for space science.
NASA also made headlines with several notable events. The Europa Clipper spacecraft launched on October 14, embarking on a 1.8 billion-mile journey to Jupiter’s icy moon Europa. The spacecraft will study the moon’s subsurface ocean to determine if it has conditions suitable for life.
In addition, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe broke its own record by flying within 3.8 million miles of the sun’s surface on Christmas Eve. This achievement marked a significant milestone in solar exploration.
The year also saw a total solar eclipse visible across North America, with millions witnessing the event on April 8. Furthermore, a NASA spacecraft touched the sun, marking another historic moment for space exploration.
As scientists continue to push the boundaries of space exploration, these achievements demonstrate the industry’s promise and potential for breakthroughs in the years to come.
Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2024-12-26/stuck-astronauts-historic-launches-returning-rockets-here-are-the-most-notable-space-stories-in-2024