| 8/17: | The balloon Double Eagle II arrived near Miserey, France, accomplishing
the first manned balloon crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. The balloon,
commanded by New Mexicans Ben Abruzzo, Larry Newman, and Maxie Anderson,
departed from Presque Isle, Maine, one week earlier. An earlier unsuccessful
attempt had been made with Double Eagle I: http://www.balloonlife.com/publications/balloon_life/9801/9808/deIIoverview.htm
(source: The Learning Kingdom) |
| 12/5: | The Pioneer Venus I Orbiter begins transmitting pictures and data back
to scientists on Earth. It carries 17 science instruments, including a
high-resolution radar surface mapper. The probe continues sending information
until August 1992, when the fuel runs out and the probe is allowed to burn
up in the atmosphere of Venus.
More about the Pioneer Venus I mission:
(source: The Learning Kingdom) |