1958 Death of Arctowski

1958: Death of Henrik Arctowski, Polish meteorologist aboard the Belgica in the service of the Observatory. The German invasion of Poland during a visit to the US prevented him from returning. His personal logbooks from the Belgica were lost. He later became chief librarian of the Smithsonian Institute's scientific library.

21-02-2026

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1970 Apollo 13 - 2006 Venus Express

1970: The launch of NASA's third lunar mission turns into a technological nightmare following the explosion of an oxygen tank. Exploration gives way to an unprecedented race against time. By using the Lunar Module as an improvised lifeboat, the engineers and crew achieved the most spectacular rescue of the space age, transforming a looming disaster into a triumph of human will.

2006: Belgian expertise conquers the "Evening Star". The Venus Express probe begins its orbital mission. On board, the SOIR instrument—designed and operated by the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB)—is poised to unlock the secrets of the Venusian atmosphere. A major achievement for the researchers of the Uccle plateau.

Image credits : nasa.gov

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1958 Death of Arctowski

1970 Apollo 13 - 2006 Venus Express

Planetarium

Royal Observatory of Belgium

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