The USSR launched the Sputnik III.
This satellite was carrying a variety of tools for geophysical research.
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The European Space Agency launched the Venus Express, the first European spacecraft to reach Venus.
Cosmonauts Titov and Strekalov narrowly escaped the Soyuz T-10 spacecraft explosion.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched on its maiden flight.
Russia's Luna 25 lunar lander mission crash-landed on the Moon.
The Soviet Union's Zond 1 space probe was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.