Planetary exploration moves beyond flybys

Michael Collins piloted the command module while the lunar module descended to the surface.

The landing was a milestone in human exploration of the solar system; the first steps took place later in UTC on 21 July.

The spacecraft became the first human-made object to orbit another planet.

Engine firing slowed Mariner 9 enough for capture by Martian gravity.

The new orbit enabled prolonged planetary study, although a global dust storm initially limited surface views.

Designed and built in India, the country’s first satellite was launched on a Soviet rocket.

Aryabhata began a new phase in India’s scientific and engineering space work.

The launch from Kapustin Yar illustrates international cooperation in the early Indian space program.

The spacecraft took its name from the mathematician and astronomer whose work was studied in the earlier astronomy batch.

Despite its number, Voyager 2 departed before Voyager 1, beginning its journey to the outer planets.