The year 1986 saw the destruction of Space Shuttle Challenger shortly after lift-off, killing all seven aboard, the first in-flight deaths of American astronauts. This accident followed the successful flight of Columbia just weeks earlier, and dealt a major setback to the U.S. crewed space program, suspending the Shuttle program for 32 months.
The year also saw numerous fly-bys of Halley's Comet as well as other successes.
Launches
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January
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February
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March
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April
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May
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August
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September
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November
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December
Deep space rendezvous Date (GMT)SpacecraftEventRemarks24 January Voyager 2 Flyby of Uranus Closest approach: 6 March Vega 1 Flyby of Halley's Comet Closest approach: 8 March Suisei Flyby of Halley's Comet Closest approach: 9 March Vega 2 Flyby of Halley's Comet Closest approach: 11 March Sakigake Distant flyby of Halley's Comet Closest approach: 14 March Giotto Flyby of Halley's Comet Closest approach:
EVAs Start date/timeDurationEnd timeSpacecraftCrewRemarks28 May05:433 hours09:33Salyut 7 EO-5Leonid KizimVladimir SolovyovRetrieved test panels from the outside of Salyut 7 and assembled a test "girder-constructor" apparatus in preparation for work on Mir.31 May04:575 hours09:57Salyut 7 EO-5Leonid KizimVladimir SolovyovConducted additional tests on the experimental construction equipment, including the welding of several girders joints.
References