During the early 1970s, NASA and its contractors were gearing up for launch of the nation’s first space station — Skylab. During that time, LeRoy Sparks operated the emergency notification system at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center. Like thousands of his fellow employees, he was passionate about his work. Although he had a disability, he never allowed it to get in the way of doing his job.
Early on the morning of Dec. 17, 2025, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center with a group of Starlink satellites to provide internet to underserved areas. It was the 109th launch of the year breaking the record of 93 launches during the previous 12 months. As 2026 dawned, NASA also stands at the cusp of a new era of exploration as the agency prepares to renew human exploration of the Moon.
In the months and years following the conclusion of World War II, Dr. Wernher von Braun and Dr. Kurt Debus led a team of German rocket experts who came to the United States and helped set the foundation for the utilization of space with the benefits for all of humankind. While their contributions now are a crucial part of everyday life, revisionist historians are attempting to erase the legacy of these pioneers. While their work resulted in development of the infamous V-2 missile, the goal of von Braun and Debus always was to explore space.
In July 1969, people around the world joined Americans celebrating as NASA’s Apollo 11 astronauts walked on the Moon. This and many other historic achievements were made possible through the vision and work of a team of German rocket experts led by Dr. Wernher von Braun and Dr. Kurt Debus. They came to the United States following World War II and became key leaders in developing technology vital to the “Free World” during the hottest days of the Cold War. However, some groups now are making concerted efforts to erase the memory of these pioneers. While they helped developed the V-2 for Germany during the war, some falsely believe they supported the policies of the Nazi regime.
On Aug. 1, 2025, a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft launched with four astronauts representing space agencies from three nations. They plan a six-month stay aboard the International Space Station continuing research aboard the orbital laboratory. What is learned in orbit also will benefit humans living on and off the Earth and help NASA prepare for operations on and around the Moon and, eventually, Mars.
On a warm morning during the summer of 1950, 75 years ago, a small group of engineers and technicians launched a two-stage rocket from the east coast of Florida. The missile was the first to take flight from a new government installation called the Long Range Proving Ground. It was hardly noticed, but it was the first rocket launched from Cape Canaveral.
In the summer of 1975, 50 years ago, millions around the world watched an event that would have been unthinkable only a few years earlier. An American Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soviet Soyuz capsule leading to a handshake in Earth orbit. As the first international space mission, the Apollo Soyuz Test Project led to extensive cooperation ongoing today.
When International Space Station astronaut Catherine Coleman spoke to employees at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Sept. 20, 2012, she told those in attendance about her extended stay aboard the orbiting laboratory. The veteran of three spaceflights described her experiences with the exuberance of a youngster relating a family vacation. At the end of her presentation, she confirmed that – like early astronauts – crews still find ways to set up a humorous gag for engineers and scientists in Mission Control.
“A human being has made the first ever walk in open space. He is at this very moment flying free in space.” This was the announcement of Soviet cosmonaut Pavel Belyayev during a television broadcast on March 18, 1965. Fellow Voskhod-2 crewmember Alexei Leonov climbed out of their spacecraft, exited an airlock and floated alone 310 miles above the Earth. It was another stunning spaceflight “first” for the Soviet Union 60 Years ago.
A SpaceX Crew Dragon lifted off at 7:03 p.m. EDT on March 14, 2025, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA Kennedy Space Center for the Crew-10 mission. NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov of Russia plan a six-month stay aboard the International Space Station. Ongoing research aboard the orbiting laboratory is designed to benefit humans living on and off the Earth.