Modern Era · North America · Science
1997
Mars Pathfinder lands
July 4, 1997
On the Fourth of July, NASA's Pathfinder bounced down onto the red plains of Ares Vallis in a cluster of airbags. Its little rover Sojourner, the size of a microwave, trundled off to sniff rocks. Pictures came back by evening. A generation that had grown up with Viking grew up again, and Mars felt close.
In context
Also in 1997 (5 other events on record)
- Hong Kong returned to China · East Asia · Politics
- Asian financial crisis · Southeast Asia · Politics
- Princess Diana dies · Europe · Culture
- Deep Blue beats Kasparov · North America · Technology
- Kyoto Protocol signed · East Asia · Politics
Before and after in North America
Before and after in Science
Era
Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.
Sources