On this day, September 26 1991, four men and four women began a two-year stay in the sealed Biosphere Two in Oracle, Arizona, for science research.

Biosphere 2 is a 3.15-acre structure originally built to be an artificial closed ecological system in Oracle, Arizona (USA) by Space Biosphere Ventures, a company whose principal officers were John Polk Allen and Margaret Augustine. Constructed between 1987 and 1991, it was used to explore the complex web of interactions within life systems. It also explored the possible use of closed biospheres in space colonization, and also allowed the study and manipulation of a biosphere without harming Earth's. The name comes from the idea that it is modeled on the first biosphere, which is the life system on Earth. The funding for the project came primarily from Edward Bass's company, Decisions Investment, and cost $200,000,000 from 1985 to 2007.

The size of a football field, it was the largest closed system ever created. The sealed nature of the structure allowed scientists to monitor the ever-changing chemistry of the air, water and soil contained within. The health of the human crew was continuously monitored by a medical team.

Inside was a 850 square meter ocean with a coral reef, a 450 square meter mangrove wetlands, a 1900 square meter savannah grassland, a 1400 square meter fog desert, a 2500 square meter agricultural system, a human habitat with living quarters and office, and a below-ground level technical facility. Heating and cooling water circulated through independent piping systems, and electrical power was supplied from a natural gas energy center through airtight penetrations.

By 2006, the structure was no longer maintained in an airtight state, and the property, which is in exurban Tucson, was slated to be redeveloped for a planned community.

As of June 5, 2007, the property including surrounding land, totaling 1650 acres (668 hectares), was sold to a residential home developer for US$50 million. A development including homes and a resort hotel was planned for a portion of the land. The Biosphere itself will remain open for tours.

On June 26, 2007, the University of Arizona announced it would be taking over research at the Biosphere 2. The announcement ends immediate fears that the famous glass terrarium will be bulldozed. University officials said private gifts and grants will enable them to cover research and operating costs for three years with the possibility of extending that funding for 10 years.

Labels: Biosphere, human achievement, science

Amos Alonzo Stagg, 1862-1965, American football coach, b. West Orange, N.J., grad. Yale, 1888, announced his retirement after 71 years of coaching on this day, 16th September 1960.

Stagg played end on the Yale football team and began his career as a coach (1889-91) at Springfield (Mass.) College. In 1892 he became athletic director at the Univ. of Chicago, coaching football there until 1933. In these 41 years he five times (1899, 1905, 1908, 1913, and 1924) coached undefeated teams. An authority on football, Stagg served (1904-32) on the football rules committee. Because of his age, he was compelled to resign his post at the Univ. of Chicago, but the "grand old man of football" later coached (1933-46) at the College of the Pacific and was (1947-52) assistant coach to his son at Susquehanna Univ. He collaborated in writing several books on football and is credited with the invention of numerous innovations in football play.

Labels: American Football, human achievement, sport

On 18th June 1983 astronaut Sally K. Ride became America's first woman in space as she and four colleagues blasted off on space shuttle flight #7 aboard the Challenger.

Labels: challenger, human achievement, sally ride, space, space shuttle

On 16th June 1963 a 26 year old Soviet Air Force officer, Jr.Lt. Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel into space.

The first video shows Tereshkova being prepared for her launch by technicians and engineers, before calmly saying her farewells, and being sealed inside her capsule, followed by the spectacular launch of Vostok 6.



This second video includes some original CCCP TV footage of Tereshkova during flight.

Labels: cccp, human achievement, russia, space, ussr

On June 3, 1965, American astronaut Edward White became the first man to "walk" in space, during the flight of Gemini 4.

Labels: human achievement, space, usa

On 25th May, 1961 President Kennedy called on the nation to work toward putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

Labels: human achievement, space, usa

On 21st May 1956, the U.S. exploded the first airborne hydrogen bomb over Bikini Atoll in the Pacific.

Labels: human achievement, technology, usa, weapons

On May 20, 1927, Charles Lindbergh took off from Roosevelt Field in Garden City, N.Y., aboard the Spirit of St. Louis on his historic solo flight to France.

Labels: aircraft, human achievement, usa