The Four Major Space Crafts Launched in the Seventies

A thrilling decade for space exploration, the 1970s saw numerous technological breakthroughs and ground-breaking missions. Several significant spacecraft were launched during this time, pushing the envelope of human knowledge and deepening our understanding of the cosmos.
Four of the most notable space probes launched in the 1970s will be discussed in this article along with their outstanding contributions to space exploration.

1. Pioneer 10:
Pioneer 10, which was launched on March 2, 1972, was the first spacecraft to pass through the asteroid belt and come quite close to Jupiter. Its main objective was to observe the interplanetary medium and collect data on Jupiter and its moons. Pioneer 10 was able to successfully relay important data regarding Jupiter's magnetic field, radiation belts, atmosphere, and new moon, which was ultimately given the name "Pioneer 10's Moon." It also became the first artificial object to leave Pluto's orbit, ushering in the age of interstellar space travel.

2. Viking 1 & Viking 2:
To find evidence of life on Mars, the Viking program, which consists of two spacecraft, Viking 1 and Viking 2, was launched in 1975. On July 20, 1976, Viking 1 touched down on Mars, and on September 3, 1976, Viking 2. The first successful soft landings on the Martian surface occurred during these missions. To analyze soil and atmospheric samples, look for organic chemicals, and assess the presence of microbial life, the Viking landers conducted experiments. The Viking missions gave insightful information on the Martian environment and created the foundation for further investigation, even though the results regarding the existence of life were inconclusive.

3. Voyager 1 & Voyager 2:
The Voyager program, which consists of two identical spacecraft, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, was launched in 1977 to study the solar system's outer planets. On September 5, 1977, Voyager 1 was launched, and on August 20, 1977, Voyager 2 was launched. Close flybys of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune were made possible by these missions, yielding previously unheard-of photographs and scientific data about these far-off planets. While Voyager 2 found active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io and complex ring formations encircling Saturn, Voyager 1 famously photographed Jupiter's Great Red Spot and Saturn's rings. Both spacecraft are still traveling through interstellar space, collecting useful information about the transitional region between solar influence and interstellar space.

4. Skylab:
The first space station built by the United States, Skylab was launched on May 14, 1973. It was constructed from the upper stage of a Saturn V rocket and spent six years in orbit. Skylab performed experiments in a variety of disciplines, including solar physics, Earth monitoring, and biomedical research. Three astronaut teams were housed in Skylab, where they carried out experiments, went on spacewalks, and learned important things about how long-duration space travel affects the human body. The Skylab program opened the way for subsequent projects, such as the International Space Station (ISS), and advanced our understanding of space station operations.

In conclusion, With the launch of numerous significant spacecraft, the 1970s saw amazing advancements in space exploration that increased our understanding of the solar system and beyond. Each of the missions Pioneer 10, Viking 1 and 2, Voyager 1 and 2, and Skylab significantly improved our knowledge of Jupiter, Mars, the outer planets, and the difficulties of manned spaceflight. These missions served as significant turning points in the study of our universe, opening the way for upcoming spacecraft and motivating succeeding generations to keep exploring the cosmos and making discoveries.