1969 in science

The year 1969 in science and technology

Astronomy and space exploration

January 15 - The Soviet Union launches Soyuz 5
March 3 - Apollo program: NASA launches Apollo 9 to test the lunar module
March 13 - Apollo program: Apollo 9 returns safely to Earth after testing the Lunar Module
May 16 - Venera program: Venera 5, a Soviet spaceprobe, lands on Venus
May 17 - Venera program: Soviet Venera 6 begins to descend into Venus', atmosphere sending back atmospheric data before being crushed by pressure
May 18 - Apollo program: Apollo 10 launches
May 22 - Apollo program: Apollo 10's lunar module flies within 15,400 m of the Moon's surface
May 26 - Apollo program: Apollo 10 returns to Earth after a successful eight-day test of all the components needed for the upcoming first manned Moon landing
July 20 - Apollo program: The human race, represented by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, lands on the Moon. Apollo 11 lifted off for the Moon on July 16 and returned safely on July 24
August 5 - Mariner program: Mariner 7 makes its closest fly-by of Mars (3,524 kilometers)
November 14 - Apollo program: NASA launches Apollo 12, the second manned mission to the surface of the Moon (landed on the Moon on November 19)
November 19 - Apollo program: Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean land at Oceanus Procellarum ("Ocean of Storms") and become the third and fourth humans to walk on the Moon