Former Astronauts Reflect on Historic First Moon Landing
Five former Apollo and Space Shuttle astronauts discuss the historic first landing on the Moon during a briefing at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. — Continue Reading
Versatile Space Shuttle Turns Sci-Fi into Reliable Access to Orbit
Over the past three decades America’s Space Shuttle has established a legacy of rewriting the history of space flight. During that time, astronauts shuttled to and from low Earth orbit showing again and again the value of the human element in this challenging endeavor.
SpaceX Demo-1 Liftoff
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program now is underway with the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a Crew Dragon for a mission to the International Space station. The Falcon 9’s eight Merlin engines ignited at 2:49 a.m. EST on March 2, 2019.
America’s First Satellite Established ‘Foothold in Space’
On the evening of Jan. 31, 1958, the United States orbited its first satellite — Explorer 1. The effort was part of the nation’s participation in the International Geophysical Year (IGY), a peaceful scientific endeavor. It also marked America’s first step in the Space Race of the Cold War.
Gemini Pioneered the Technology Driving Today’s Exploration
Project Gemini is often referred to as the “bridge to the Moon.” It spanned the period between Project Mercury, America’s first efforts to determine if humans could survive in space, and the Apollo lunar landing flights. Looking back across a half-century, Gemini proved to be a bridge to the future.
Space Station’s Global Effort Now Yielding Important Science
The first elements of the International Space Station now have been in orbit for more than 20 years. Assembly of the largest spacecraft ever built was a global, cooperative effort and began with the STS-88 space shuttle mission in December 1998.
Exploring the Unexplored: New Horizons’ Mission to Pluto
NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft continues to pass through the outer edges of the solar system. After a decade-long and more than 3.6 billion mile trip to Pluto, the probe is providing the first close up observations of of the tiny planet and the most distant objects in the solar system.
NASA Met Unprecedented Challenges Sending Craft to Pluto
New Horizons beamed back the first-ever, close-up images and scientific observations of distant Pluto, its system of large and small moons, as well as the Kuiper Belt. A region of the solar system beyond the planets, the Kuiper Belt consists mainly of small planetary bodies.
Apollo 10 was Rehearsal for Upcoming Moon Landing
NASA recently marked the 50th anniversary of Apollo 10, the mission that served as the “dress rehearsal” for the first lunar landing two months later. The crew descended to within 47,000 feet of the Moon ensuring all was working as designed prior to making the actual touchdown.
Apollo 9 Completes Crucial Test of Lunar Landing Spacecraft
After the Apollo command/service module was tested successfully in Earth orbit and on a trip to the Moon, NASA prepared for the next step, the first piloted flight test of the spacecraft designed to land on the lunar surface.