Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, NASA had some good news. Having trekked 3.2 billion kilometers (2 billion miles) across cold, radiation-charged and interstellar-dust-swept space in just under five years, NASA's Stardust spacecraft was closing in on the main target of its mission -- a comet flyby. It succeeded 2 days later as Stardust passed a huge milestone by successfully navigating through the particle and gas-laden coma around comet Wild 2 (pronounced "Vilt-2"). During the hazardous traverse, the spacecraft flew within 240 kilometers (149 miles) of the comet, catching samples of comet particles and scoring detailed pictures of Wild 2's pockmarked surface.
2004 Space News - More Good News for NASA
NASA had more good news the next day as the robotic Mars Rover, Spirit, landed safely on the Red Planet. It wasn't long before Spirit was sending back pictures of the Martian surface. "This is a big night for NASA," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. "We're back. I am very, very proud of this team, and we're on Mars." Spirit continued sending back pictures of Mars while awaiting its companion, Opportunity.NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe announced on January 6, 2004 plans to name the landing site of the Mars Spirit Rover in honor of the astronauts who died in the tragic accident of the Space Shuttle Columbia in February. The area in the vast flatland of the Gusev Crater where Spirit landed this weekend will be called the Columbia Memorial Station.
2004 Space News - Great Explorations
Meanwhile, outside of the space agencies, exploration continued without leaving Earth. According to News14 in Charlotte, NC, a Gastonia, NC teen at the North Carolina School of Science and Math has discovered a new galaxy along with her lab partner. Soon afterwards, we announced our new Free Email Courses and President George W. Bush announced his new Space Initiative.By the middle of January, the Spirit Mars Rover was ready to roll off its landing platform. Shortly after rolling onto the surface, Spirit reached out to touch the Red Planet. After a scare with Spirit, the system repaired itself.
Finally, on January 25, Spirit's twin, Opportunity landed and began sending back pictures.
2004 Space News - We Remember and Lighten Up
On the anniversary of the loss of the space shuttle Columbia, we remembered the seven heroes who lost their lives aboard her.On a lighter note, as the NFL Superbowl approached, we took a look at a former NFL player who made the NASA team, Leland Melvin. As African-American Heritage month began, we also highlighted achievements by other great African Americans like Robert henry Lawrence, Guion "Guy" Bluford, Mae Jemison, Ron McNair, and Michael Anderson.
2004 Space News - Every Parent's Nightmare
Working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Image Analysis facility at Kennedy Space Center was studying the Sarasota kidnapping video of Carlie Brucia to provide any new information possible to law enforcement officers. Kennedy Space Center was joining NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama in reviewing the tape. During the investigation, NASA continued to assist with the search. Unfortunately, the case had a sad ending as the 11 year old's body was found shortly thereafter.2004 Space News - Hoaxes, Heritage, and Discovery
We also examined the controversial questions; Did NASA fake the moon landing? and Is Pluto a Planet?February moved into March and African-American Heritage Month became Women's History Month. We explored the lives of several women who have had an impact in astronomy and space including: Caroline Herschel, Sally Ride, Valentina Tereshkova, and Judith Resnick.
March also brought some exciting news from the Red Planet as Scientists have concluded the part of Mars that NASA's Opportunity rover is exploring was soaking wet in the past.