May 20 in Space History
36 events
Kosmos-282 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-282
Voskhod 11A57 launched on the Kosmos-282 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Kosmos-345 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-345
Voskhod 11A57 launched on the Kosmos-345 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. (CC BY 4.0)
CORONA 138/1110 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: CORONA 138/1110
Thorad SLV-2H Agena D launched on the CORONA 138/1110 flight from South Vandenberg AFB, California, pad SLC3W. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
KH-8A — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: KH-8A
Titan 24B launched on the KH-8A 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. (CC BY 4.0)
DSCS II 5/6 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: DSCS II 5/6
Titan IIIC launched on the DSCS II 5/6 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad LC40. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Kosmos-819 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-819
Voskhod 11A57 launched on the Kosmos-819 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Pioneer Venus 1 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Pioneer Venus 1
The Pioneer Venus Orbiter, also known as Pioneer Venus 1 or Pioneer 12, was a mission to Venus conducted by NASA as part of the Pioneer Venus project.
- 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. (CC BY 4.0)
- Wikipedia — Pioneer Venus 1 (opens in a new tab) — Adapted from Wikipedia contributors; selected sentences retained and edited for length, reference markers and pronunciation glosses. CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Article and edit history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Venus_Orbiter (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Timeline of Space Exploration Missions 1957 to 2031 (opens in a new tab)
- NASA — Pioneer Venus 1 (opens in a new tab)
- NASA NSSDCA — Pioneer Venus 1 (opens in a new tab)
Kosmos-1181 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-1181
Kosmos 11K65M launched on the Kosmos-1181 flight from 53-y Nauchno-Issledovatelskiy Ispitatelniy Poligon, pad LC132/2. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Kosmos-1367 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Kosmos-1367
Molniya 8K78M (2BL) launched on the Kosmos-1367 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. (CC BY 4.0)
SROSS C — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: SROSS C
ASLV launched on the SROSS C flight from Satish Dhawan Space Ctr, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, India, pad SLV. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Gorizont — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Gorizont
Proton-K/DM-2 launched on the Gorizont flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC81/23. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Spektr — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Spektr
Proton-K launched on the Spektr flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC81/23. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Tselina-2 No. 13L — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Tselina-2 No. 13L
Zenit-2 launched on the Tselina-2 No. 13L flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC45/1. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Nimiq — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Nimiq
Proton-K/DM-2M (DM3) launched on the Nimiq flight from GIK-5, Baykonur, Kazakstan, pad LC81/23. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
The Sixth Sense: Best Script
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
The Sixth Sense (Film) by M. Night ShyamalanAward: Nebula Award — Best Script
The Sixth Sense won Best Script.
- SFWA: 1999 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1999 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Story of Your Life: Best Novella
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Story of Your Life (Novella) by Ted ChiangAward: Nebula Award — Best Novella
Story of Your Life won Best Novella.
- SFWA: 1999 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1999 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
The Cost of Doing Business: Best Short Story
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
The Cost of Doing Business (Short story) by Leslie WhatAward: Nebula Award — Best Short Story
The Cost of Doing Business won Best Short Story.
- SFWA: 1999 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1999 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Mars Is No Place for Children: Best Novelette
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Mars Is No Place for Children (Novella) by Mary A. TurzilloAward: Nebula Award — Best Novelette
Mars Is No Place for Children won Best Novelette.
- SFWA: 1999 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 1999 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Parable of the Talents — 1999 Nebula Award, Best Novel
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Parable of the Talents (Novel) by Octavia E. ButlerAward: Nebula Award — Best NovelRole: Science fiction writer
Parable of the Talents — 1999 Nebula Award, Best Novel (2000-05-20).
- SFWA Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
NOAA N — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: NOAA N
Delta 7320-10C launched on the NOAA N flight from Vandenberg AFB, California, pad SLC2W. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
PLANET-C — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: PLANET-C
Akatsuki, also known as Planet-C and the Venus Climate Orbiter, is Japan’s mission to investigate the atmosphere and weather of Venus.
- 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. (CC BY 4.0)
- Wikipedia — Akatsuki/Planet-C (opens in a new tab) — Factual synthesis based on the cited Wikipedia and NASA pages; original editorial wording. (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Timeline of Space Exploration Missions 1957 to 2031 (opens in a new tab)
- NASA — Akatsuki/Planet-C (opens in a new tab)
- NASA NSSDCA — Akatsuki/Planet-C (opens in a new tab)
Telstar 14R — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Telstar 14R
Proton-M/Briz-M (III) launched on the Telstar 14R 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. (CC BY 4.0)
ST-2/GSAT-8 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: ST-2/GSAT-8
Ariane 5ECA launched on the ST-2/GSAT-8 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. (CC BY 4.0)
X-37B OTV FLT-4 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: X-37B OTV FLT-4
Atlas V 501 (C) launched on the X-37B OTV FLT-4 flight from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida, pad SLC41. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
All the Birds in the Sky — 2016 Nebula Award, Best Novel
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
All the Birds in the Sky (Novel) by Charlie Jane AndersAward: Nebula Award — Best NovelRole: Science fiction writer
All the Birds in the Sky — 2016 Nebula Award, Best Novel (2017-05-20).
- SFWA Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Arabella of Mars: Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Arabella of Mars (Novel) by David D. LevineAward: Andre Norton Award — Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction
Arabella of Mars won Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction.
- SFWA: 2016 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 2016 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
The Long Fall Up: Best Novelette
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
The Long Fall Up (Novella) by William LedbetterAward: Nebula Award — Best Novelette
The Long Fall Up won Best Novelette.
- SFWA: 2016 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 2016 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Arrival: Ray Bradbury Nebula Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Arrival (Film) by Eric HeissererAward: Ray Bradbury Award — Ray Bradbury Nebula Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation
Arrival won Ray Bradbury Nebula Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation.
- SFWA: 2016 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 2016 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Every Heart a Doorway: Best Novella
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Every Heart a Doorway (Novella) by Seanan McGuireAward: Nebula Award — Best Novella
Every Heart a Doorway won Best Novella.
- SFWA: 2016 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 2016 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Seasons of Glass and Iron: Best Short Story
Category: Science FictionType: Award win
Seasons of Glass and Iron (Short story) by Amal El-MohtarAward: Nebula Award — Best Short Story
Seasons of Glass and Iron won Best Short Story.
- SFWA: 2016 Nebula Awards (opens in a new tab) — Factual summary based on SFWA: 2016 Nebula Awards. Original source retains its rights.
Queqiao — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Queqiao
Queqiao relay satellite, was the first of the pair of communications relay and radio astronomy satellites for the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program.
- 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. (CC BY 4.0)
- Wikipedia — Queqiao (opens in a new tab) — Adapted from Wikipedia contributors; selected sentences retained and edited for length, reference markers and pronunciation glosses. CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Article and edit history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queqiao-1 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Original Wikipedia link from NSE timeline (opens in a new tab) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Timeline of Space Exploration Missions 1957 to 2031 (opens in a new tab)
- NASA — Queqiao (opens in a new tab)
- NASA NSSDCA — Queqiao (opens in a new tab)
HTV-9 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: HTV-9
H-IIB launched on the HTV-9 flight from Tanegashima Space Center, Tanegashima, Nippon, pad Y2. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
BSX-1/2 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: BSX-1/2
Chang Zheng 2C/YZ-1S launched on the BSX-1/2 flight from Jiuquan Space Center, Nei Monggol Zizhiqu, China, pad LC43/94. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Iridium-OneWeb — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Iridium-OneWeb
Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Iridium-OneWeb 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Zhongxing 3B — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Zhongxing 3B
Chang Zheng 7A launched on the Zhongxing 3B flight from Wenchang Space Center, Hainan, pad LC201. 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. (CC BY 4.0)
Starlink-389 — launch
Category: Launches and Flight TestsType: Orbital launch
Mission: Starlink-389
Falcon 9 (FT5) launched on the Starlink-389 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. (CC BY 4.0)