Experience the legacy of human spaceflight by exploring the milestones that define On This Day in Space History. These range 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. Furthermore, whether you are tracking a specific mission anniversary, our comprehensive daily guide connects you with the cosmic events that happened on this very day. In addition, you can use the guide when honoring the pioneers of the Final Frontier.
Rocket Launches On This Day
Soviet Space Program US-K 50 (Kosmos 1785) Molniya-M
CASC Beidou-3 M15 & M16 Long March 3B / YZ-1
CASC Shenzhou 13 Long March 2F/G
Russian Space Forces EMKA-3 (Kosmos 2560) Angara 1.2
CASC SpaceSail Polar Group #2 Long March 6A
CASC SatNet LEO Group 12 Long March 8A
Astronauts Born On This Day
Roberto Vittori
- Date of Birth: 10/15/1964
- Nationality: Italy
- First Flight: 04/25/2002
- Last Flight: 05/16/2011
Roberto Vittori (born 15 October 1964 in Viterbo) is an Italian air force officer and an ESA astronaut. After graduating from the Italian Accademia Ae...
Rocket Launch and Astronaut History FAQ
What space history is featured on this page?
This On This Day page highlights recorded rocket launches that occurred on today’s calendar date in previous years. It also features astronauts who were born or died on this date, providing a daily look at notable missions and people in spaceflight history.
How often is the On This Day space history page updated?
The page updates automatically each day to display historical rocket launches and astronaut birth and death dates associated with the current calendar date.
Can I find upcoming rocket launches from this page?
Yes. This page focuses on historical spaceflight events, but you can visit the upcoming rocket launch schedule for future missions, launch dates, countdowns, and live coverage. You can also browse launches from specific locations, including Kennedy Space Center.
Where does the historical rocket launch data come from?
Historical launch and mission data is provided by spaceflight data sources including The Space Devs. Records may be updated as additional mission information becomes available.