Mariner 9
becomes the first spacecraft to orbit
a planet. It orbits Mars.
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1972: 15 percent of JPL 's work is civil systems related.
December 1973:
Pioneer 10
flys by Jupiter; performs first radio signal occultation.
By 1973: Use of on-board programmable digital computers
on spacecraft made them instruments of exploration rather
than rigid remote sensors.
1973: Radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG)
agreement is completed between NASA and the Atomic Energy Commission.
March 1974: Mariner 10 arrives
at Mercury after using first planetary gravity
assist at Venus.
Photos of the planet are taken and
transmitted to Earth.
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August 1975: Viking 1 is launched.
September 1975: Viking 2 is launched.
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April 1976: Dr. Bruce Murray becomes JPL Director shortly after Dr. Pickering retires.
June 1976: Viking 1 orbits and lands on Mars.
July 1976: Murray advocates "purple pigeon" projects.
August 1976: Viking 2 orbits and lands on Mars.
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August 1977 and September 1977:
Voyager 2 and 1 respectively
are launched on scientific
“Grand Tour” of four outer
planets using gravity assist flybys.
Last dual spacecraft mission.
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June 1978:
Seasat is launched
to collect and provide scientific
data for oceanographers, meteorologists
and commercial users of the seas by
carrying instruments to measure
currents, tides, waves, surface
peratures, cloud patterns and ice fields.
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| May 1980: Memo of Understanding between the US
Army and JPL. JPL becomes a key resource for army
research and development.
June 1981: First Space Shuttle
(STS Shuttle Transporation System) mission occurs.
July 1982: Arroyo Center is created at JPL. It is
transferred to RAND in December 1984.
1982: All Source Analysis System/Enemy Situation Correlation
Element (ASAS/ENSCE) Project starts under full security
conditions for US Department of Defense. It comprises
about 25 percent of JPL's business during this period.
| July 1982: Murray resigns as Director.
October 1982: Dr. Lew Allen becomes JPL Director.
January 1983: Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) is launched.
April 1983: First Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS)
satellite is launched from a Space Shuttle.
May 1985: Civil Programs and Defense Programs are collapsed to form
the single Defense Civil Programs Office.
January 1986: Challenger explodes. JPL missions
affected: Galileo, Magellan, and Ulysses.
(Missions are later rescheduled or revived.)
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JPL Payload on STS 2:
Imaging Radar-A & Multispectrial
Infrared Radiometer
September 1986: Non-space related low-cost Silicon
Solar Array project (which began in the mid 1970s) ends.
May 1989: Magellan becomes first spacecraft to launch from
a Space Shuttle, to map Venus using Synthetic Aperture Radar
(SAR) as well as prepare a gravity map. "Reaction wheels"
are used for positioning. "Aerobraking" also is used for first time.
October 1989: Galileo is launched
from Space Shuttle—mission complicated
by high gain antenna failing to deploy,
demanding telemetry changes as a
Jupiter probe.
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Illustration of Galileo Probe
separtating from the Galileo Orbiter |
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