On This Day in Space History

Experience the legacy of human spaceflight by exploring the milestones that define On This Day in Space History. From the roaring engines of historic rocket launches that paved the way to the stars to the personal legacies of the astronauts born or who passed away on this date, every day marks a significant chapter in our journey beyond Earth. Whether you are tracking a specific mission anniversary or honoring the pioneers of the Final Frontier, our comprehensive daily guide connects you with the cosmic events that happened on this very day.

Rocket Launches On This Day

Astronauts Born On This Day

Aleksandr Skvortsov

• Date of Birth: 05/06/1966
• Nationality: Russia
• First Flight: 04/02/2010
• Last Flight: 07/20/2019

Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Skvortsov (Russian: Aлександр Aлександрович Скворцов; born May 6, 1966) is a Russian cosmonaut. H...

Chiaki Mukai

• Date of Birth: 05/06/1952
• Nationality: Japan
• First Flight: 07/08/1994
• Last Flight: 10/29/1998

Chiaki Mukai (向井 千秋 Mukai Chiaki, born May 6, 1952, Tatebayashi, Gunma, Japan) is a Japanese doctor and JAXA astronaut. She was the first Japa...

David Leestma

• Date of Birth: 05/06/1949
• Nationality: United States of America
• First Flight: 10/05/1984
• Last Flight: 03/24/1992

David Cornell Leestma is a former American astronaut and retired Captain in the United States Navy.

Donald A. Thomas

• Date of Birth: 05/06/1955
• Nationality: United States of America
• First Flight: 07/08/1994
• Last Flight: 07/01/1997

Donald Alan Thomas, Ph.D. is an American engineer and a former NASA astronaut.

Astronauts In Remembrance

William H. Dana

• Date of Birth: 11/03/1930
• Date of Death: 05/06/2014
• Nationality: United States of America
• First Flight: 11/01/1966
• Last Flight: 08/21/1968

William Harvey "Bill" Dana was an American aeronautical engineer, U.S. Air Force pilot, NASA test pilot, and astronaut.
He flew on ...