December 04, 1996

Dec. 4, 1996
The Mars Pathfinder, the first spacecraft designed to land and explore Mars in nearly 21 years, is launched from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., aboard a McDonnell Douglas Delta II rocket. It is expected to arrive on Mars on July 4, 1997.

Related Content

F-15Es and A-10s Join Red Flag-Like Exercise on Arabian Peninsula

April 26, 2024
F-15E fighters from the 335th Fighter Squadron of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., arrived in the Arabian Peninsula last week for a multilateral exercise hosted by the United Arab Emirates. Alongside the Strike Eagles, A-10s from the Maryland Air National Guard are also participating in this year's Desert Flag…

New Report: Engine Problems Led to MQ-9 Crash in Africa Last Year

April 26, 2024
A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 suffered an engine failure flying over Africa in May 2023, forcing the drone’s pilot to down it in the ocean where it was not recovered, according to a new Air Force report. The cost of the mishap was more than $21 million. 

Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2

April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.

‘Interchangeable Almost:’ NATO Air Deputy Pushes Even Deeper Integration

April 25, 2024
NATO Allied Air Command is making moves now for its member nations’ air forces to be able to service each others’ fighters, fly them with each others’ weapons, and integrate more closely together than they have in decades, a top official said April 24—ahead of an influx of F-35s and a coming…

Want to Be a Warrant Officer? Air Force Opens Up Applications Until May 31

April 25, 2024
Airmen can apply to become warrant officers in cybersecurity or information technology from April 25, through May 31, the Air Force announced. From June 24-28, a selection board will pick up to 60 candidates for the eight-week Warrant Officer Training School (WOTS) at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Selectees will…

Slife: Air Superiority, Base Defense Must Adapt to Modern War

April 24, 2024
Small one-way attack drones widely used on the frontlines of Ukraine and against U.S. outposts in the Middle East have fundamentally altered the definition of air superiority, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. James C. “Jim” Slife said April 24. "Our traditional conception of what things like…

Boeing Takes $222 Million Loss on T-7, KC-46

April 24, 2024
Boeing lost $222 million on two key Air Force programs in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024: $128 million on the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker and $94 million on the T-7 trainer, where the total losses already exceed more than $7 billion and $1 billion, respectively.