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On This Date in History - May 17

by Nick Greene
for About.com

Daily Extra :


Quote Of The Day

Our passionate preoccupation with the sky, the stars, and a God somewhere in outer space is a homing impulse. We are drawn back to where we came from.
Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)

Today in History:


1969: Venera 6, USSR Venus Atmosphere Probe, (launched January 10, 1969) arrived at Venus. Along with Venera 5, atmospheric data was returned indicating an atmosphere composed of 93-97 carbon dioxide, 2-5 nitrogen, and less than 4 oxygen. The probe returned data down to within 11 kilometers of surface and was then lost - crushed by the pressure on Venus.

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