On This Day in Tech History
Stories Published December 25 Throughout History
Historic Tech Events
NASA Launches James Webb Space Telescope
2021
The James Webb Space Telescope, launched by NASA on December 25, 2021, is a next-generation space observatory designed to study the universe's early galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. It is the largest and most complex space telescope ever built and is equipped with a 6.5-meter primary mirror, four scientific instruments, and advanced technologies for exploring the cosmos. The telescope is positioned about 1.5 million km from Earth, at a location called L2, where it can observe the universe in infrared light, allowing it to capture images of the universe's first galaxies and provide new insights into the origins of the universe.
Gorbachev Resigns and Ukraine left the Soviet
1855 AD
On December 25th, 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as the president of the Soviet Union, marking the end of the country's existence. Ukraine, the second-largest republic within the Soviet Union, also declared its independence, leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The event marked the end of the Cold War, which had defined global politics for decades, and paved the way for a new era of geopolitical order. The collapse of the Soviet Union also had far-reaching implications for the world economy and international relations.
Huygens Probe Lands on Titan's Surface
2004
The Cassini orbiter, launched by NASA in 1997, released the Huygens probe on December 25th, 2004, which successfully landed on the surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The mission provided groundbreaking insights into Titan's atmosphere, geology, and potential for life. The Huygens probe transmitted data for over an hour and a half before its batteries died, allowing scientists to study the moon's surface, weather patterns, and chemistry. The Cassini-Huygens mission was a collaborative effort between NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency, and provided valuable information about one of the most intriguing bodies in our solar system.
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