Astronautics and Aeronautics: a Chronology, 1996-2000
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ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS: A CHRONOLOGY, 1996–2000 NASA SP-2009-4030 February 2009 Authors: Marieke Lewis and Ryan Swanson Project Manager: Alice R. Buchalter Federal Research Division, Library of Congress NASA History Division Office of External Relations NASA Headquarters Washington, DC 20546 Astronautics and Aeronautics: A Chronology, 1996-2000 PREFACE This report is a chronological compilation of narrative summaries of news reports and government documents highlighting significant events and developments in United States and foreign aeronautics and astronautics. It covers the years 1996 through 2000. These summaries provide a day-by-day recounting of major activities, such as administrative developments, awards, launches, scientific discoveries, corporate and government research results, and other events in countries with aeronautics and astronautics programs. Researchers used the archives and files housed in the NASA History Division, as well as reports and databases on the NASA Web site. i Astronautics and Aeronautics: A Chronology, 1996-2000 TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE........................................................................................................................................ i JANUARY 1996............................................................................................................................. 1 FEBRUARY 1996 .......................................................................................................................... 5 MARCH 1996................................................................................................................................. 9 APRIL 1996.................................................................................................................................. 13 MAY 1996 .................................................................................................................................... 17 JUNE 1996.................................................................................................................................... 22 JULY 1996.................................................................................................................................... 25 AUGUST 1996 ............................................................................................................................. 29 SEPTEMBER 1996 ...................................................................................................................... 33 OCTOBER 1996........................................................................................................................... 37 NOVEMBER 1996 ....................................................................................................................... 41 DECEMBER 1996........................................................................................................................ 45 JANUARY 1997........................................................................................................................... 49 FEBRUARY 1997 ........................................................................................................................ 54 MARCH 1997............................................................................................................................... 59 APRIL 1997.................................................................................................................................. 64 MAY 1997 .................................................................................................................................... 69 JUNE 1997.................................................................................................................................... 74 JULY 1997.................................................................................................................................... 79 AUGUST 1997 ............................................................................................................................. 84 SEPTEMBER 1997 ...................................................................................................................... 89 OCTOBER 1997........................................................................................................................... 93 NOVEMBER 1997 ....................................................................................................................... 99 DECEMBER 1997...................................................................................................................... 103 JANUARY 1998......................................................................................................................... 107 FEBRUARY 1998 ...................................................................................................................... 116 MARCH 1998............................................................................................................................. 121 APRIL 1998................................................................................................................................ 127 MAY 1998 .................................................................................................................................. 133 JUNE 1998.................................................................................................................................. 140 JULY 1998.................................................................................................................................. 149 AUGUST 1998 ........................................................................................................................... 157 SEPTEMBER 1998 .................................................................................................................... 161 OCTOBER 1998......................................................................................................................... 166 NOVEMBER 1998 ..................................................................................................................... 171 DECEMBER 1998...................................................................................................................... 174 JANUARY 1999......................................................................................................................... 179 FEBRUARY 1999 ...................................................................................................................... 183 iii Astronautics and Aeronautics: A Chronology, 1996-2000 MARCH 1999............................................................................................................................. 187 APRIL 1999................................................................................................................................ 191 MAY 1999 .................................................................................................................................. 196 JUNE 1999.................................................................................................................................. 201 JULY 1999.................................................................................................................................. 207 AUGUST 1999 ........................................................................................................................... 213 SEPTEMBER 1999 .................................................................................................................... 219 OCTOBER 1999......................................................................................................................... 224 NOVEMBER 1999 ..................................................................................................................... 232 DECEMBER 1999...................................................................................................................... 239 JANUARY 2000......................................................................................................................... 246 FEBRUARY 2000 ...................................................................................................................... 250 MARCH 2000............................................................................................................................. 254 APRIL 2000................................................................................................................................ 257 MAY 2000 .................................................................................................................................. 261 JUNE 2000.................................................................................................................................. 266 JULY 2000.................................................................................................................................. 271 AUGUST 2000 ........................................................................................................................... 275 SEPTEMBER 2000 .................................................................................................................... 282 OCTOBER 2000......................................................................................................................... 288 NOVEMBER 2000 ..................................................................................................................... 297 DECEMBER 2000.....................................................................................................................