1990s in Science and Technology - Science

Science

• Detection of extrasolar planets orbiting stars other than the sun.
• Dolly the sheep is cloned.
• The Human Genome Project began in October 1990.
• DNA identification of individuals finds wide application in criminal law.
• Hubble Space Telescope launched in 1990; revolutionizes astronomy.
• Protease inhibitors introduced allowing HAART therapy against HIV; drastically reduces AIDS mortality.
• NASA's spacecraft Pathfinder lands on Mars and deploys a small roving vehicle, Sojourner, which analyzes the planet's geology and atmosphere.
• The Hale-Bopp comet swings past the sun for the first time in 4,200 years in April 1997.
• Development of biodegradable products, replacing products made from Styrofoam; advances in methods for recycling of waste products (such as paper, glass, aluminum).
• Genetically engineered crops are developed for commercial use.
• Discovery of dark matter, dark energy, brown dwarfs, and first confirmation of black holes.
• The Galileo probe orbits Jupiter, studying the planet and its moons extensively.
• The Global Positioning System (GPS) becomes fully operational.
• Proof of Fermat's last theorem is discovered by Andrew Wiles.
• Construction starts on the International Space Station – 1996
• The remains of Myrtis and other victims of the Plague of Athens are found.
• First Bose-Einstein Condensates of Rubidium-87 and Sodium-23 created at JILA and MIT.