2014 Event The E.U. extends sanctions against Russia by banning oil and gas exploration, cruise ship activity, and investment in Russian-annexed Crimea, the annexation is considered illegitimate by E.U. member nations 2014 Event NASA outsources its role in space travel by awarding a $4.2 billion contract to Boeing and a $2.6 billion contract to Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) to shuttle astronauts between Earth and the International Space Station 2014 Event NASA announces that its Kepler space telescope has discovered 715 planets in other solar systems, bringing the instrument's new-planet tally to 961; four of the latest discoveries are thought to have an orbit favorable to habitation, but the distance of these planets makes exploration impossible with current technology 2013 Event A controversial bill passes in Brazil's Chamber of Deputies; the bill regulates the distribution of royalties generated from oil exploration, with 75% of funds directed to education only 25% of the funds going to health 2012 Event Treasure from Spain's Navy frigate Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes is returned to Spain after it was recovered by Odyssey Marine Exploration in 2007 2011 Event The El Paso natural gas exploration and pipeline company is purchased by Kinder Morgan for $21.1 billion in cash and stock 1992 Event Erling Kagge begins successful exploration at South pole 1973 Event U.S.S.R.'s Lunakhod 2 begins radio-controlled exploration of Moon 1971 Event Boeing receives contract for Mariner 10, Mercury exploration 1951 Birthday Sally Ride, born in Encino, California, physicist, astronaut, first American woman crewmember in space on the Challenger, founded NASA's Office of Exploration 1876 Event HMS Challenger returns from 128,000-km oceanographic exploration 1804 Event Lewis and Clark begin exploration of Louisiana Purchase 1609 Event Henry Hudson embarks on an exploration for Dutch East India Co. 1601 Event Olivier van Noort completes 1st Dutch exploration of new world 1528 Event Panfilo the Narvaez begins exploration to with 350 men to Florida 1469 Birthday Manuel I, King of Portugal, 1495-1521, during era of exploration
