|
The European Space Agency joined those launching into space and missions were sent to witness the passing of Halleys comet. Galileo arrived at Jupiter to start it’s long term study mission. |
|||||
Mission |
Launch |
End |
Details |
||
|
Solar Mesosphere Explorer |
 |
1981 |
1991 |
|
Atmospheric study mission |
|
Venera 13 |
 |
1981 |
1982 |
|
Venus landing, analysed soil sample |
|
Venera 14 |
|
1981 |
1982 |
|
Venus landing, analysed soil sample |
|
Space Shuttle |
|
1981 |
1981 |
|
First Space Shuttle launch |
|
Infrared Astronomical Satellite |
 |
1983 |
1993 |
|
Infrared telescope |
|
Exosat |
 |
1983 |
1983 |
|
First ESA mission to study X rays |
|
Venera 15 |
|
1983 |
1983 |
|
Venus orbital radar mapping |
|
Venera 16 |
|
1983 |
1983 |
|
Venus orbital radar mapping |
|
Vega 1 |
|
1984 |
1986 |
|
Venus lander released and Halleys comet flyby |
|
Vega 2 |
|
1984 |
1986 |
|
Venus lander released and Halleys comet flyby |
|
Sakigake |
 |
1985 |
1995 |
|
Halleys comet flyby |
|
Giotto |
|
1985 |
1992 |
|
European mission to Halleys Comet |
|
Suisei |
|
1985 |
1991 |
|
Halleys comet flyby |
|
|
1986 |
2001 |
|
Earth orbiting space station |
|
|
Phobos 1 |
|
1988 |
Failed |
||
|
Phobos 2 |
|
1988 |
1989 |
|
Mars orbiter |
|
Magellan |
|
1989 |
1994 |
|
NASA Venus radar mapping mission |
|
Hipparcos |
|
1989 |
1993 |
|
ESA mission which accurately plotted stellar positions |
|
|
1989 |
2003 |
|
Detailed long term study of Jupiter and it’s moons |
|
This decade saw the arrival of the historic