1914day.year
The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition began in an attempt to make the first land crossing of Antarctica.
In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition set sail to attempt the first land crossing of Antarctica.
Departing from the UK aboard the Endurance, the expedition aimed to traverse the Antarctic continent from Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea.
The ship became trapped and eventually crushed by pack ice, leaving the crew stranded on drifting ice floes.
Shackleton led a perilous journey in lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and then sought rescue in South Georgia.
Though the crossing objective failed, the mission became legendary for its extraordinary leadership and survival under extreme conditions.
The expedition's legacy endures as a testament to human endurance and the spirit of exploration.
1914
Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
Antarctica
1964day.year
Lloyd J. Old discovers the first linkage between the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and disease—mouse leukemia—opening the way for the recognition of the importance of the MHC in the immune response.
Immunologist Lloyd J. Old discovers the first link between the major histocompatibility complex and disease in 1964.
In 1964, researcher Lloyd J. Old publishes findings linking the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) to mouse leukemia susceptibility.
This landmark discovery reveals the MHC’s critical role in immune system regulation and disease resistance.
Old’s work lays the foundation for modern transplant biology, autoimmunity research, and vaccine development.
The identification of MHC-disease associations transforms understanding of organ rejection and immunogenetics.
His pioneering research continues to influence cancer immunotherapy and personalized medicine today.
Lloyd J. Old
major histocompatibility complex
2001day.year
Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on STS-108, carrying the Expedition 4 crew to the International Space Station.
Space Shuttle Endeavour embarks on STS-108, transporting the Expedition 4 crew to the International Space Station.
On December 5, 2001, NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour lifted off on mission STS-108 from Kennedy Space Center.
The mission’s primary objective was to deliver and support the Expedition 4 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Crew members included Commander Yuri Onufrienko and Flight Engineer Carl Walz, who joined ISS long-duration operations.
Endeavour carried supplies, equipment and experiments to sustain the station’s growing research capabilities.
The flight demonstrated NASA’s ongoing commitment to constructing and maintaining the ISS as a multinational endeavor.
STS-108 contributed to expanding humanity’s presence in low Earth orbit and advancing scientific research in microgravity.
2001
Space Shuttle Endeavour
STS-108
Expedition 4
International Space Station
2014day.year
Exploration Flight Test-1, the first flight test of Orion, is launched.
On December 5, 2014, NASA launched Exploration Flight Test-1, the inaugural flight of the Orion spacecraft, marking a key step toward deep-space exploration.
On December 5, 2014, NASA launched the Orion spacecraft atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral during Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1).
The mission was designed to validate Orion's heat shield, avionics, parachute systems, and reentry capabilities.
Orion ascended to an altitude of approximately 3,600 miles, simulating conditions for missions beyond low Earth orbit.
After two orbits, the capsule reentered Earth's atmosphere at high velocity, subjecting its thermal protection system to extreme heat.
The spacecraft successfully deployed its parachutes and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a nearly four-hour flight.
EFT-1 provided critical data for improving spacecraft design, paving the way for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
2014
Exploration Flight Test-1
Orion