On this day in space! Sept. 11, 1985: The International Cometary Explorer makes 1st comet flyby in history for NASA and Europe

The International Cometary Explorer (ICE), a joint mission between NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) scientists, achieved a historic milestone on September 11th, 1985. This pioneering spacecraft successfully executed its initial flyby of Comet Halley, marking the very first time a probe had directly observed a comet up close. The encounter occurred at a distance of approximately 10.7 million kilometers from Earth, providing unprecedented data about the comet’s composition and behavior. Scientists utilized data collected during this critical maneuver to study the comet's nucleus and coma in detail. This successful operation represented a significant advancement for both NASA and ESA, solidifying their commitment to cometary research.