July 30

Events - Science & Technology

1971day.year

Apollo program: On Apollo 15, David Scott and James Irwin in the Apollo Lunar Module Falcon land on the Moon with the first Lunar Rover.

Astronauts David Scott and James Irwin land on the Moon aboard Apollo 15's Lunar Module Falcon, deploying the first Lunar Rover.
On July 30, 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin touched down on the lunar surface in the Falcon module. Their mission marked the first use of the Lunar Rover, greatly extending the range of scientific exploration. Scott and Irwin conducted extensive geological surveys, collecting rock and soil samples from the Hadley–Apennine region. They deployed experiments to study lunar magnetism, seismic activity, and solar wind. The successful deployment of the rover allowed them to travel over 17 miles on the Moon’s surface. Apollo 15 set new standards for manned lunar exploration and paved the way for advanced scientific research on future missions.
1971 Apollo program Apollo 15 David Scott James Irwin Apollo Lunar Module Moon Lunar Rover
2003day.year

Three years after the death the last Pyrenean ibex, Celia, a clone of her is born only to subsequently die from lung defects. Within minutes, the Pyrenean ibex becomes the first and so-far only species to have ever gone de-extinct as well as go extinct twice.

A clone of the extinct Pyrenean ibex, Celia, was briefly brought to life, only to perish minutes later due to lung defects.
In 2003, scientists achieved a landmark in de-extinction by cloning Celia, the last known Pyrenean ibex, which had died in 2000. Using preserved tissue samples, researchers implanted cloned embryos into surrogate goats. The clone was born alive but suffered from severe respiratory problems. After only minutes, it succumbed to lung defects, highlighting the challenges of cloning extinct species. This experiment made the Pyrenean ibex the first species to be de-extinct and then extinct again. Although the effort did not result in a sustainable population, it demonstrated the technical possibilities and ethical complexities of de-extinction.
Pyrenean ibex clone de-extinct
2020day.year

NASA's Mars 2020 mission was launched on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

NASA's Mars 2020 mission, including the Perseverance rover, launched aboard an Atlas V rocket.
On July 30, 2020, NASA launched the Mars 2020 mission from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station aboard an Atlas V rocket. The primary payload was the Perseverance rover, designed to seek signs of ancient life on Mars. Perseverance carried advanced scientific instruments and the Ingenuity helicopter, the first rotorcraft to fly on another planet. The mission aimed to collect rock and soil samples for possible return to Earth by future missions. It also tested new technologies for entry, descent, and landing in the Martian atmosphere. The successful launch marked a major milestone in interplanetary exploration and astrobiology research.
2020 Mars 2020 Atlas V Cape Canaveral Air Force Station