February 20

In 1824, William Buckland presented the name Megalosaurus for a large fossil reptile discovered in Oxfordshire. This was the first time a non-avian dinosaur was given a valid scientific name. Buckland's work laid the groundwork for the emerging field of paleontology. His announcement captured public imagination and sparked interest in the ancient world. The name Megalosaurus, meaning 'great lizard', remains famous in dinosaur research.

On February 20, 1935, Danish-Norwegian Caroline Mikkelsen stepped onto the Antarctic continent, becoming the first woman recorded to do so. She accompanied her husband, Captain Klarius Mikkelsen, on a whaling expedition aboard the vessel Thorshavn. Mikkelsen's landing took place on the Tryne Islands off the coast of mainland Antarctica. At the time, polar regions were dominated by male explorers, making her achievement groundbreaking. Her presence challenged gender norms and inspired future generations of women to pursue scientific and exploratory expeditions. The expedition's official records highlight her role in documenting coastal geography and wildlife. Caroline Mikkelsen's legacy endures in Antarctic history and naming conventions, with geographical features bearing her name.

The Avro Arrow (CF-105) was one of the most advanced military aircraft projects of its time, featuring cutting-edge aerodynamics and systems. Launched in the mid-1950s, it promised to defend North American airspace during the height of the Cold War. However, facing escalating costs and shifting defense priorities, the Diefenbaker government pulled the plug on February 20, 1959. All prototypes and production tooling were destroyed, ending Canada’s role as a major aerospace innovator. The cancellation sparked controversy over national sovereignty, economic impact, and relations with the United States. Many engineers and designers later joined NASA and American aerospace firms, influencing the U.S. space program. The Avro Arrow remains a symbol of “what might have been” in Canadian technological history.

As part of NASA’s Mercury program, astronaut John Glenn piloted Friendship 7 into orbit just days after a launch scrub. Lift-off aboard a Mercury-Atlas rocket took place at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Glenn’s mission objectives included testing spacecraft systems, monitoring his own physiological responses, and gathering orbital data. He completed three successful orbits, reaching speeds over 17,000 miles per hour. After re-entry, Friendship 7 splashed down safely in the Atlantic Ocean and was retrieved by the USS Noa. The flight was broadcast live on television and captivated millions around the world. President Kennedy lauded Glenn’s “courage and skill,” cementing the mission’s role in the Space Race.

Ranger 8 was part of a series of unmanned probes designed to take high-resolution images of the lunar surface. Launched in February 1965, it transmitted over 7,000 clear photographs during its final orbits. The spacecraft focused on the Sinus Medii region, capturing details of craters and terrain for future Apollo missions. Engineers aimed for a controlled crash to maximize image return; Ranger 8 struck the lunar surface at over 2,300 miles per hour. The mission provided invaluable data that helped select safe landing zones for astronauts. Its success bolstered confidence in robotic support for human exploration of the Moon.

Established under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) became the nation’s leading satellite design and manufacturing center. Located in Beijing, CAST’s initial focus included developing recoverable experimental satellites and weather observation platforms. Over the following decades, CAST played a central role in projects like the Dong Fang Hong series and the BeiDou navigation constellation. The academy contributed to launch vehicle integration, payload design, and advanced space communications. Its work laid the groundwork for China’s crewed spaceflights and lunar exploration. Today, CAST remains at the forefront of China’s rapidly expanding space ambitions.

On February 20, 1986, the Soviet Union successfully launched Mir, the first modular space station, aboard a Proton rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome. Designed as a long-duration orbiting research laboratory, Mir became a centerpiece of Soviet and later Russian spaceflight. Over its 15 years in orbit, the station hosted crews continuously for a decade, facilitating extensive scientific experiments in microgravity. Mir's modular structure allowed additional sections to be added, demonstrating the viability of expandable space habitats. The program faced technical and financial challenges but achieved significant milestones in life support and international cooperation. Mir also saw the first long-duration missions by American astronauts, paving the way for US-Russian collaboration. Decommissioned in 2001, Mir reentered Earth's atmosphere, concluding one of history's most enduring space stations.