The rings of Saturn
2000:
2 November: First crew arrive at International Space Station
2001:
January 9: The second test flight of the manned Shenshou
The Chinese spaceship is reported to be carrying a monkey, a dog, and a rabbit.
1 February: Columbia shuttle disintegrates killing seven
The US space shuttle Columbia brakes up as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere killing all seven astronauts on board. Debris is scattered over Texas.
23 March: Space Station Mir crashes to Earth
28 April: First space tourist blasts off
2003:
15 October: China sends first man into space
They succeed in making it the third country ever to send a human into space.
25 December: Mars space probe disappears
Scientists fail to make contact with the British-built Mars probe, Beagle 2 and it is deemed lost.
2004:
25 January: Nasa rover, Opportunity, lands on Mars looking for signs of water
1 July: Cassini captures Saturn's rings
The international mission to Saturn, known as Cassini-Huygens, successfully goes into orbit around the planet.
Cassini travels more than six years and covers almost two billion miles to get to Saturn.
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