March 20 in Universe History: Space Missions, Astronomy and Exploration
2024
On March 20, 2024, China launched the Queqiao-2 relay satellite on a Long March-8 rocket from the Wenchang Space Launch Site to provide Earth–Moon communications services, a key step for near-term far-side sample-return operations and longer-term south polar exploration in the Chinese lunar program.
2025
On March 20, 2025, the Voyager 1 team watched the probe execute stored commands that revived long-idled backup attitude-control thrusters and confirmed success when heater temperatures rose within about 20 minutes. The maneuver preserved pointing capability and reduced risk ahead of a planned communications pause.
2026
On March 20, 2026, NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft arrived at Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center after crawler-transporter rollout from the Vehicle Assembly Building, positioning the first crewed Artemis stack for pad-level checkouts, systems verification, and launch-readiness work for a four-astronaut lunar flyby.