If 2014 was a great year for space lovers – Rosetta is just an example, even though a telling one – 2015 has been even more rewarding in terms of discoveries and achievements, some of them (New Horizons, Dawn) enriching dramatically the knowledge of our Solar System.
I was able to cover some of them on this blog, but the list is obviously longer. For people in hurry, however, these are the ones you want to remember, not in any particular order.
New Horizons (Pluto as we have never seen it before)
Dawn reaches Ceres, its second target in the Asteroid Belt
The Japanese Akatsuki arrives at Venus
Space X (only few days ago – and something groundbreaking for the future of space exploration)
Europa (this one only planned, of course. But the US Congress decided to grant NASA funding – therefore somehow qualifying).
Dyson’s Sphere / Alien Megastructures (only hypothetical, sure, but the very possibility was enticing)
Cassini’s memorable flybys (after so many years out there, the probe keeps delivering amazing imagery)
What’s next? A few things have been planned, but one that seems certain is the exploration of the Kuiper Belt – New Horizons’ new target. See you in 2016!
Thanks for the list and the links!
Thanks for stopping by, Cinda, and Happy New Year 🙂
It really, really has been an exceptional year – many thanks for the brilliant article with all the links:)
Thanks – let’s hope 2016 bring us something of the same kind or better!