|
Credit & Copyright: The Lunar Orbiter Project,
NASA
Explanation:
The Lunar Orbiter 1 spacecraft was launched in 1966 to
map the lunar surface in
preparation for the
Apollo moon landings.
NASA's plucky robotic explorer performed its job well and pioneered
this classic view of the Earth poised above the lunar horizon. The
first humans to directly witness a
similar scene were the
Apollo 8 astronauts.
As they orbited the Moon in December of 1968 they also recorded
Earth rise in a photograph
that was to become one of the most famous images in history -
a moving portrait of our world from deep space.
|
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day