Dawn (spacecraft)

Quick Facts: Who was Dawn (spacecraft)?

Subject:

Dawn (spacecraft)

Known for:

NASA's pioneering orbiter mission studying Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres.

Born:

2007-09-27

Century / Era:

2007s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Dawn is a retired space probe that was launched by NASA in September 2007 with the mission of studying two of the three known protoplanets of the asteroid belt: Vesta and Ceres. In the fulfillment of that mission—the ninth in NASA's Discovery Program—Dawn entered orbit around Vesta on July 16, 2011, and completed a 14-month survey mission before leaving for Ceres in late 2012. It entered orbit around Ceres on March 6, 2015.

Career & Major Achievements

In 2017, NASA announced that the planned nine-year mission would be extended until the probe's hydrazine fuel supply was depleted. On November 1, 2018, NASA announced that Dawn had depleted its hydrazine, and the mission was ended. The derelict probe remains in a stable orbit around Ceres.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Dawn is the first spacecraft to have orbited two extraterrestrial bodies, the first spacecraft to have visited either Vesta or Ceres, and the first to have orbited a dwarf planet. The Dawn mission was managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, with spacecraft components contributed by European partners from Italy, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2007 (2007-09-27): Birth of Dawn (spacecraft) — NASA's pioneering orbiter mission studying Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres.
2. 2011: 2011 Milestone — In the fulfillment of that mission—the ninth in NASA's Discovery Program—Dawn entered orbit around Vesta on July 16, 2011, and completed a 14-month survey mission before leaving for Ceres in late 2012.
3. 2015: 2015 Milestone — It entered orbit around Ceres on March 6, 2015.
4. 2017: 2017 Milestone — In 2017, NASA announced that the planned nine-year mission would be extended until the probe's hydrazine fuel supply was depleted.
5. 2018: 2018 Milestone — On November 1, 2018, NASA announced that Dawn had depleted its hydrazine, and the mission was ended.

Notable Quotes by Dawn (spacecraft)

“Dawn is the first spacecraft to have orbited two extraterrestrial bodies, the first spacecraft to have visited either Vesta or Ceres, and the first to have orbited a dwarf planet.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Dawn (spacecraft)

True or False: “True or False: Dawn was the first spacecraft to visit both an asteroid (Vesta) and a dwarf planet (Ceres).”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This is true; Dawn's ability to orbit two such distinct, distant bodies was a record in deep-space exploration.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Al Oerter — Contemporary (Died in 2007) (2007): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• Albert Ellis — Contemporary (Died in 2007) (2007): Pioneering figure in psychotherapy, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Alfred Peet — Contemporary (Died in 2007) (2007): Dutch-American founder credited with starting the US specialty coffee revolution.
• Adelina Patti — Shared historical date (09-27 · Died) (1919): Legendary Spanish-Italian soprano renowned for her bel canto technique and lyrical voice.
• Agustín de Iturbide — Shared historical date (09-27 · Born) (1783): Mexican military officer and politician who became the first Emperor of Mexico.
• Alt-J — Historical peer (Born in 2007) (2007): English indie rock band known for complex, art-pop soundscapes.
• Anatol Rapoport — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Pioneering mathematical psychologist known for modeling social systems and contagion.
• Al Davis — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): Pioneering NFL executive and coach, known for building the legendary Oakland Raiders.
• Alan Rubin — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): American musician known for playing trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet.
• Adam Yauch — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• 2007 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2007
• September 27 (09-27) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 27

Frequently Asked Questions about Dawn (spacecraft)