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Today in History: Galileo makes history with asteroid 951 Gaspra flyby

10/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On October 29, 1991, NASA's Galileo spacecraft made history by becoming the first spacecraft to visit an asteroid, conducting a flyby of 951 Gaspra. This milestone marked a significant achievement in space exploration, as Galileo studied Gaspra's surface and composition, enhancing our understanding of asteroids within the inner Solar System.

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Story summary

On October 29, 1991, NASA's Galileo spacecraft made history by becoming the first spacecraft to visit an asteroid, conducting a flyby of 951 Gaspra. This milestone marked a significant achievement in space exploration, as Galileo studied Gaspra's surface and composition, enhancing our understanding of asteroids within the inner Solar System.