Space history on April 26
48 events
Shapley–Curtis debate held
Category: Culture, Education, and Public EngagementType: Cultural event
Harlow Shapley and Heber Curtis debated the scale of the universe and the nature of spiral nebulae.
- NASA HEASARC — 1900–1959 (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary; source attribution retained.
GRAB/SR 4B — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: GRAB/SR 4B
Scout X-2 launched on the GRAB/SR 4B flight from Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello, California, pad LC-D. Launch failure.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Ariel 1 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Ariel 1
Thor Delta launched on the Ariel 1 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad LC17A. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
FTV 2401 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: FTV 2401
Atlas Agena B launched on the FTV 2401 flight from Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello, California, pad LC1-1. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Kosmos-4 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-4
Vostok 8K72 (K) launched on the Kosmos-4 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC1. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Ranger 4: lunar impact
Moon impact.
- NASA — mission history (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary; source attribution retained.
OPS 1298 (AF-4) — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: OPS 1298 (AF-4)
Scout X-2M launched on the OPS 1298 (AF-4) flight from Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello, California, pad LC-D. Launch failure.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
CORONA 63/9055A — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: CORONA 63/9055A
Thor Agena D launched on the CORONA 63/9055A flight from Vandenberg AFB, California, pad 75-1-1. Launch failure.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Kosmos-116 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-116
Kosmos 11K63 launched on the Kosmos-116 flight from GTsP-4, Kapustin Yar, Volgograd, Rossiya, pad LC86/1. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
KH-8 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: KH-8
Titan IIIB launched on the KH-8 flight from South Vandenberg AFB, California, pad SLC4W. Launch failure.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Kosmos-219 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-219
Kosmos 11K63 launched on the Kosmos-219 flight from GTsP-4, Kapustin Yar, Volgograd, Rossiya, pad LC86/4. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Molniya-2 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Molniya-2
Molniya 8K78M launched on the Molniya-2 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC41/1. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
The Dispossessed — 1974 Nebula Award, Best Novel
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
The Dispossessed (Novel) by Ursula K. Le GuinAward: Nebula Award — Best NovelRole: Science fiction writer
The Dispossessed — 1974 Nebula Award, Best Novel (1975-04-26).
- SFWA Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
The Day Before The Revolution: Best Short Story
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
The Day Before The Revolution (Short story) by Ursula K. Le GuinAward: Nebula Award — Best Short Story
The Day Before The Revolution won Best Short Story.
- SFWA: 1974 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1974 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Sleeper: Best Dramatic Presentation
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Sleeper (Film) by Woody AllenAward: Nebula Award — Best Dramatic Presentation
Sleeper won Best Dramatic Presentation.
- SFWA: 1974 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1974 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
If the Stars are Gods: Best Novelette
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
If the Stars are Gods (Novella) by Gregory Benford, Gordon EklundAward: Nebula Award — Best Novelette
If the Stars are Gods won Best Novelette.
- SFWA: 1974 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1974 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Born With the Dead: Best Novella
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Born With the Dead (Novella) by Robert SilverbergAward: Nebula Award — Best Novella
Born With the Dead won Best Novella.
- SFWA: 1974 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1974 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Kosmos-905 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-905
Soyuz-U launched on the Kosmos-905 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC43/3. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
The Fountains of Paradise — 1979 Nebula Award, Best Novel
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
The Fountains of Paradise (Novel) by Arthur C. ClarkeAward: Nebula Award — Best NovelRole: Science fiction writer
The Fountains of Paradise — 1979 Nebula Award, Best Novel (1980-04-26).
- SFWA Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
giANTS: Best Short Story
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
giANTS (Short story) by Edward BryantAward: Nebula Award — Best Short Story
giANTS won Best Short Story.
- SFWA: 1979 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1979 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Enemy Mine: Best Novella
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Enemy Mine (Novella) by Barry B. LongyearAward: Nebula Award — Best Novella
Enemy Mine won Best Novella.
- SFWA: 1979 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1979 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Sandkings: Best Novelette
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Sandkings (Novella) by George R.R. MartinAward: Nebula Award — Best Novelette
Sandkings won Best Novelette.
- SFWA: 1979 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1979 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Kosmos-1457 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-1457
Soyuz-U launched on the Kosmos-1457 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC31. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Prognoz-10-IK — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Prognoz-10-IK
Molniya 8K78M (SOL) launched on the Prognoz-10-IK flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC31. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Ender’s Game — 1985 Nebula Award, Best Novel
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Ender’s Game (Novel) by Orson Scott CardAward: Nebula Award — Best NovelRole: Science fiction writer
Ender’s Game — 1985 Nebula Award, Best Novel (1986-04-26).
- SFWA Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Sailing to Byzantium: Best Novella
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Sailing to Byzantium (Novella) by Robert SilverbergAward: Nebula Award — Best Novella
Sailing to Byzantium won Best Novella.
- SFWA: 1985 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1985 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Portraits of His Children: Best Novelette
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Portraits of His Children (Novella) by George R.R. MartinAward: Nebula Award — Best Novelette
Portraits of His Children won Best Novelette.
- SFWA: 1985 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1985 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Out of All Them Bright Stars: Best Short Story
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Out of All Them Bright Stars (Short story) by Nancy KressAward: Nebula Award — Best Short Story
Out of All Them Bright Stars won Best Short Story.
- SFWA: 1985 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1985 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Kosmos-1940 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-1940
Proton-K/DM-2 launched on the Kosmos-1940 flight from NIIP-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC200/39. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Foton — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Foton
Soyuz-U launched on the Foton flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC41/1. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Molniya-1 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Molniya-1
Molniya 8K78M (ML) launched on the Molniya-1 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC43/4. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Spacelab D-2 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Spacelab D-2
Space Shuttle launched on the Spacelab D-2 flight from NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida, pad LC39A. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Kosmos-2279 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-2279
Kosmos 11K65M launched on the Kosmos-2279 flight from GNIIP, VKS section, Plesetsk, Rossiya, pad LC133/3. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Ekspress AM-11 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Ekspress AM-11
Proton-K/DM-2M (DM-2M) launched on the Ekspress AM-11 flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC200/39. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Yaogan 1 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Yaogan 1
Chang Zheng 4C launched on the Yaogan 1 flight from Taiyuan weixing fashe zhongxin, pad LC7. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Always: Best Short Story
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Always (Short story) by Karen Joy FowlerAward: Nebula Award — Best Short Story
Always won Best Short Story.
- SFWA: 2007 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 2007 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
The Yiddish Policemen’s Union — 2007 Nebula Award, Best Novel
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
The Yiddish Policemen’s Union (Novel) by Michael ChabonAward: Nebula Award — Best NovelRole: Science fiction writer
The Yiddish Policemen’s Union — 2007 Nebula Award, Best Novel (2008-04-26).
- SFWA Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Novel) by J. K. RowlingAward: Andre Norton Award — Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows won Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction.
- SFWA: 2007 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 2007 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Pan’s Labyrinth: Best Script
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Pan’s Labyrinth (Film) by Guillermo del ToroAward: Nebula Award — Best Script
Pan’s Labyrinth won Best Script.
- SFWA: 2007 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 2007 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Fountain of Age: Best Novella
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Fountain of Age (Novella) by Nancy KressAward: Nebula Award — Best Novella
Fountain of Age won Best Novella.
- SFWA: 2007 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 2007 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate: Best Novelette
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate (Novella) by Ted ChiangAward: Nebula Award — Best Novelette
The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate won Best Novelette.
- SFWA: 2007 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 2007 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
RISAT-1 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: RISAT-1
PSLV-XL launched on the RISAT-1 flight from Satish Dhawan Space Ctr, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India, pad FLP. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
GaoFen 1 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: GaoFen 1
Chang Zheng 2D launched on the GaoFen 1 flight from Jiuquan Space Center, Nei Monggol Zizhiqu, China, pad LC603 ?. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Glonass-M47 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Glonass-M47
Soyuz-2-1B (Fregat) launched on the Glonass-M47 flight from 1-y Gosudarstvenniy Ispitatelniy Kosmodrom MO RF, pad LC43/4. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Sicral 2/Thor 7 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Sicral 2/Thor 7
Ariane 5ECA launched on the Sicral 2/Thor 7 flight from Centre Spatial Guyanais, Kourou, Guyane Francaise, pad ELA3. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Zhuhai-1 02 zu — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Zhuhai-1 02 zu
Chang Zheng 11 launched on the Zhuhai-1 02 zu flight from Jiuquan Space Center, Nei Monggol Zizhiqu, China, pad LC43/95. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
USA 314 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: USA 314
Delta 4H (A) launched on the USA 314 flight from South Vandenberg AFB, California, pad SLC6. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.
Starlink-385 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Starlink-385
Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Starlink-385 flight from South Base, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, pad SLC4E. Launch vehicle success.
- Jonathan McDowell — General Catalog of Artificial Space Objects (opens in a new tab) — Data from GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org/space/gcat), CC BY 4.0. Adapted into anniversary records.