From Jeff Bezos' space flight to NASA touching sun; here's biggest space missions of 2021

year 2021 hit space industry hard. Just like or sectors, space researchers scrambled to launch ir much-vaunted missions. While a few launches got rescheduled, most of m were operationalized. From Jeff Bezos’ maiden trip to outer space to China’s very own space station, here are space programs that took off this year. 

A trio of Martian missions, February

In February, three missions- all aiming for red planet were launched. On February 9, United Arab Emirates’ Hope orbiter reached successfully orbit around Mars. Meanwhile, NASA’s Perseverance touched down inside Red Planet's Jezero Crater on February 18. In same month, China’s Tianwen-1 also landed on red planet.

James Webb Space Telescope, October 

After facing delays of months, mission involved James Webb space telescopes (JWST) will be launched in scheduled to launch on December 24, 2021, at 7:20 Eastern Standard Time. NASA has said extraterritorial telescope will emphasize doing state-of--art infrared observations from earth’s orbit. " James Webb Space Telescope’s revolutionary technology will study every phase of cosmic history—from within our solar system to most distant observable galaxies in early universe. Webb’s infrared telescope will explore a wide range of science questions to help us understand origins of universe and our place in it," space agency said. 

Chinese Space Station

In May 2021, China launched Tianhe, first of orbiting space station's three modules, and country aims to finish building station by end of 2022. next launch of Tiangong program is a modular orbital space station about one-fifth size of ISS. Once completed, space station will consist of a 20-ton core module, two smaller research modules, and a cargo transport craft. It is expected to support three astronauts for long-term habitation.

Parker Solar Probe, December

NASA's spacecraft Parker Solar Probe touched Sun flying past its outer atmosphere and entering 'Corona', Sun's upper atmosphere on December 15. American space agency stated that  spacecraft has sampled particles and magnetic fields in Corona which is 'one giant leap for solar science'. 

Blue Origin’s big year

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos blasted off to edge of space on July 20, along with three or members of all-civilian crew on Blue Origin vessel.  sub-orbital trip was me possible by New Shepard launch vehicle. In October, company created helines by launching famed actor William Shatner along with Glen de Vries, Dr Chris Boshuizen, and Audrey Powers on a short trip beyond Earth. 

(Image: NASA)