Chang'e 3, Chinese spacecraft, lands on the moon 2013

Chang'e 3, the Chinese lunar explorer, landed on the moon, December 14, 2013. The lander is equipped with a radioisotope heater unit, a telescope to observe galaxies and other celestial bodies, an extreme ultraviolet camera, and soil probe.

Unfortunately, the rover Yutu experienced a "mechanical control abnormality" before it could leave the lander.  Although it could transmit data, it ceased to transmit in March 2015.

Soyuz TMA-09M launched 2013

Soyuz TMA-09M (L-R): Fyodor Yurchikhin, Karen Nyberg, Luca Parmitano

Soyuz TMA-09M, launched May 28, 2013, carried three astronauts to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, Luca Parmitano (ESA), and Karen Nyberg (NASA).  They participated in Expedition 36 on the ISS and returned to Earth in November 2013, after 166 days in space.

Iran sends a monkey into space 2013

Iran reported on January 28, 2013, that they had sent a rhesus monkey into space in a Pishgam rocket, and the animal was recovered safely after only a few minutes.  They chose January 28 because it has a religious significance as the birthday of Mohammed. 

"Thor: The Dark World" released 2013

The sequel to Marvel Cinematic Universe's Thor, Thor: The Dark World, was released November 8, 2013. Chris Hemsworth reprised his role as the God of Thunder, with Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Ray Stevenson.

It surpassed its predecessor's success in only 19 days after release.  It earned $206.4M in North American and $438.4M world-wide.  Rotten Tomatoes, which doesn't like any movie, gave it a rating of 66%!

Maggie Smith wins Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe 2013

The amazing actress extraordinaire Dame Maggie Smith won a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey at the 70th awards ceremony January 13, 2013.  It is her third Golden Globe award win.

Mangalyaan, Mars Orbiter, launched 2013

Mangalyaan, India's Mars Orbiter mission, was launched November 5, 2013.  It was built by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the first interplanetary mission for India.  The ISRO is the fourth space agency to reach Mars.  Mangalyaan has been orbiting Mars since September 2014.

Cyndi Lauper wins Tony Award for Best Score 2013

Pop diva Cyndi Lauper won the Tony for Best Original Score for the musical Kinky Boots at the 67th Tony Awards Ceremony June 9, 2013.  Kinky Boots was nominated for 13 Tony awards and won 6 that night.

Soyuz TMA-08M launched 2013

L-R: Chris Cassidy, Pavel Vinogradov, Alexander Misurkin

Mission patch

Soyuz TMA-08M, launched March 28, 2013, carried members of Expedition 35 to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Pavel Vinogradov (Roscosmos), Alexander Misurkin (Roscosmos) and Christopher Cassidy (NASA).  They docked with the ISS just under six hours after launch, a new record for the fastest docking.

After 166 days in space, they returned to Earth in September 2013.

China's Chang'e-3 Lunar Probe launched 2013

China launched their lunar lander/rover Chang'e 3, December 2 (local time), 2013 and it became the first soft landing on the moon since the Soviet Union's Lunar 24 in 1976.  Chang'e is the Chinese goddess of the moon and the rover is named Yutu, which is Chang'e's pet rabbit.

Yutu stopped sending signals in March 2015, but as of that time, the Chinese stated that the lander still had working instruments.

"Iron Man 3" released 2013

Probably the most exciting movie of the trilogy, "Iron Man 3" was released May 3, 2013.  Another trifecta was Guy Pierce as Aldrich Killian, the main bad guy.  Now all three main actors from "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" have played super-villains.  Terence Stamp (Bernadette) played General Zod in "Superman" and "Superman 2".  Hugo Weaving (Mitzi Del Bra) played the Red Skull in "Captain America: The First Avenger".


This is one of the most exciting scenes from Iron Man 3.