Johnson Space Center

A New Era of Space Exploration Dawns with Artemis I Liftoff

By Bob Granath | November 16, 2022

The ground shook for miles around as NASA’s new mega-rocket, the most powerful in the world, roared to life for the first time, beginning a new era in space exploration. Liftoff of the 32-story-tall Space Launch System, or SLS, is sending a human-rated spacecraft to the Moon for the first time in 50 years. The Orion capsule now is streaking across trans-lunar space on a mission that will take it well beyond the Moon, paving the way for landing the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface.

Schirra Proved Astronauts Can Successfully Control a Spacecraft

By Bob Granath | October 18, 2022

“I’m having a ball up here drifting,” said NASA astronaut Wally Schirra as he orbited the Earth six times during the Mercury-Atlas 8, the agency’s fifth manned space flight — 60 years ago. He proved that if the pilot was allowed to take control of the flight, he could conserve fuel and solve problems as they arise.

NASA Launches Crew-5 Continuing Research aboard Space Station

By Bob Granath | October 5, 2022

A SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off with a multi-national group of specialists for a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Ongoing research aboard the orbital laboratory is designed to benefit humans living on and off the Earth. What is learned in orbit will help NASA prepare for long-term operations on and around the Moon and eventual exploration of Mars.

‘Triple T’ Part of a Long Line of Teams Ensuring Safe Missions

By Bob Granath | May 4, 2022

During the 30-year history of the Space Shuttle Program, many important payloads were launched. From the Hubble Space Telescope to the International Space Station, history was made. However, the most crucial cargo was human. The team assigned to ensure crews were safely sealed into their spacecraft before they rocketed into orbit was the Closeout Crew led by Travis Tod Thompson.

Discovery’s First Flight Led to a Legacy of Historic Achievements

By Bob Granath | February 2, 2022

In the ten months since the arrival of the Space Shuttle Discovery at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the processing team was able to overcome numerous hurdles. The late August day dawned with clear skies on a hot summer day. The launch team and the astronaut crew were ready.

Assembly of NASA’s Mega-Rocket Complete for Trip Beyond Moon

By Bob Granath | January 6, 2022

The most powerful rocket ever built now is fully assembled at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and final preparations are underway to begin the agency’s most ambitious program of exploration. A series of integrated tests are planned prior to the targeted liftoff in March 2022. The Space Launch System (SLS) will send an Orion spacecraft on a mission well beyond the Moon paving the way for landing the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface.

Astronaut Has Life-Altering Moment in Christmas Spacewalk

By Bob Granath | December 22, 2021

SpaceAgeChronice.com welcomes Jeff Carr writing about his father, Jerry Carr, a U.S. Marine Corps aviator, NASA astronaut and commander of the record-shattering Skylab 4 mission in 1973 and 1974. On Christmas 1973, “Dad would have an experience that day that only a very small number of humans have ever had . . . the Earth, to himself, in a moment of reckoning, wonder and profound realization,” Jeff Carr said.

Gemini XII Crew Masters the Challenges of Spacewalking

By Bob Granath | November 23, 2021

In the 20 months following the first piloted Gemini mission, NASA astronauts demonstrated the ability to change orbits, perform rendezvous and docking, along with spending up to two weeks in space. Spacewalking, on the other hand, remained an enigma. With only one more Gemini flight on the schedule, solving the problems of working outside a spacecraft would be the primary goal for Gemini XII.

Space Shuttle Superlatives Create Bigger-Than-Life ‘Gee Whiz’ Facts

By Bob Granath | September 17, 2021

The Space Shuttle era was one of superlatives. Everything was bigger than life. The factoids associated with the program are examples of the historic size, capabilities and achievements of the shuttle and the team that made their achievements possible.

Demanding Gemini XI Mission Flies on Top of the World

By Bob Granath | September 15, 2021

“I tell ya from up here the world is round. It is spectacular. It’s fantastic,” said Gemini XI command pilot Pete Conrad as he and pilot Dick Gordon looked down from their lofty vantage point. Their record-shattering altitude of 850 miles above the Earth was only one highlight of a demanding, three-day mission in September 1966 – 55 years ago.

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