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Japan launches Sakigake space probe to Halley's Comet

Sakigake (さきがけ; lit. 'pioneer', 'pathfinder'), known before launch as MS-T5, was Japan's first interplanetary spacecraft and the first deep space probe to be launched by any country other than the US...

Sakigake (さきがけ; lit. 'pioneer', 'pathfinder'), known before launch as MS-T5, was Japan's first interplanetary spacecraft and the first deep space probe to be launched by any country other than the US or the Soviet Union. It aimed to demonstrate the performance of the new launch vehicle, test its ability to escape from Earth gravity, and observe the interplanetary medium and magnetic field. Sakigake also served as a reference probe for Halley's Comet. Early measurements would be used to improve the mission of the Suisei probe launched several months later.

Sakigake was developed by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science for the National Space Development Agency (both of which are now part of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA).

Events Before

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  2. "Night Court," starring Harry Anderson and created by comedy writer Reinhold Weege, premieres on NBC; runs for nine seas

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  3. Supreme Court rules 5-4 that private home use of VCRs to record TV programs for later viewing does not violate federal c

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  4. Apple Computer Inc. unveils its revolutionary Macintosh personal computer in a Super Bowl TV ad directed by Ridley Scott

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Events After

  1. Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

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  2. Bill Veeck dies

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  3. Aruba gains independence from the Netherlands Antilles

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  4. Inaugural class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Chuck Berry; James Brown; Ray Charles; Sam Cooke; Fats Domino

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  5. Space Shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, killing all seven crew members, includin

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 8, 1985?
Sakigake (さきがけ; lit. 'pioneer', 'pathfinder'), known before launch as MS-T5, was Japan's first interplanetary spacecraft and the first deep space probe to be launched by any country other than the US or the Soviet Union. It aimed to demonstrate the performance of the new launch vehicle, test its ability to escape from Earth gravity, and observe the interplanetary medium and magnetic field.
Why is Japan launches Sakigake space probe to Halley's Comet historically important?
Early measurements would be used to improve the mission of the Suisei probe launched several months later. Sakigake was developed by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science for the National Space Development Agency (both of which are now part of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA).

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January 8 in HistoryYear 1985