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NASA

US federal agency for space exploration

NASA, established in 1958, leads American space exploration. It focuses on civil space program, aeronautics, and space research. NASA's projects include Apollo Moon landing missions, Skylab, Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Orion spacecraft, and Space Launch System. It also conducts Earth Observing System, heliophysics research, Solar System exploration, and astrophysics research. The agency oversees launch operations for uncrewed missions.

Related

International Space Station Space Race SpaceX Neil Armstrong Virgin Galactic Telescope Edwin Hubble Carl Sagan Galileo Galilei Nicolaus Copernicus

Timeline

Congress Tasked to Create Space Agency

On April 2, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower urged Congress to create an agency for civilian scientific space exploration. This call was a response to the Soviet Union's progress in space technology, especially after the Sputnik missions in 1957.

National Aeronautics and Space Act

On July 29, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Act was established, laying the foundation for the formation of NASA and shaping the future of space exploration.

NASA Established

NASA was established on October 1, 1958, in response to early Soviet space achievements. It became the focal point for U.S. civil aerospace research and development, accelerating work on human and robotic spaceflight.

Project Apollo Presentation

President John F. Kennedy presented Project Apollo to Congress on May 20, 1961, aiming to land humans on the moon before the Soviets, marking a significant milestone in the space race.

President Kennedy Announces Moon Landing Goal

President Kennedy announces the goal of landing a man on the Moon before the end of the decade. This ambitious challenge led to NASA's focused efforts towards achieving a lunar landing.

Geosynchronous Communications Become a Reality

NASA launches Intelsat 1, the first communications satellite in geosynchronous orbit. This revolutionary concept was inspired by Arthur C. Clarke and provided a stable platform for satellite communications.

A fire on the launch pad tragically kills astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, the first crew of the Apollo program. NASA responds by making significant changes to the Apollo spacecraft design and safety procedures.

Apollo 8 Earthrise Photograph

Apollo 8 captures the iconic 'Earthrise' photograph during its mission, showing the Earth rising above the lunar horizon. This image becomes a symbol of human space exploration and the beauty of our planet seen from space.

Mars Flyby Mariner 7

Mariner 7 successfully conducted a Mars flyby on February 25, 1969.

Crewed Lunar Orbiter Luna 1969C

Luna 1969C successfully orbited the moon with a crew on May 18, 1969.

Apollo 11 Moon Landing

Apollo 11 mission takes place, with Neil Armstrong becoming the first human to set foot on the moon.

First Human Steps on the Moon

On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon, delivering his famous words: 'one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.'

Apollo XI Moon Landing

Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Colonel Edwin Aldrin stepped out of Apollo XI and drove an American flag into the moon's surface, a historic moment watched by the world. Raytheon had a special interest in this event as the Apollo XI mission utilized a Saturn booster rocket.

Apollo 13 'Successful Failure'

Apollo 13 encountered an explosion in its service module, leading to a challenging situation where the crew had to use the lunar module as a lifeboat. Despite the crisis, NASA managed a 'successful failure' by safely returning the crew to Earth after more than three days in space.

Mariner 9 Reaches Mars

Mariner 9 reaches Mars and becomes the first spacecraft to orbit another planet. Its mapping mission faces challenges due to a dust storm that initially obscures most of Mars's surface.

Crewed Lunar Landing

On April 16, 1972, a crewed Lunar Landing mission was conducted as part of the Soyuz L3 mission.

Crewed Lunar Landing

On December 7, 1972, a crewed Lunar Landing mission was conducted by Luna 21/Lunokhod 2.

Apollo 17 Mission

Apollo 17 marks the final manned mission to the moon.

End of Project Apollo with Apollo 17

Project Apollo concluded with the flight of Apollo 17, which returned to Earth on December 19, 1972, after spending 12 days and 14 hours in space. The mission involved conducting scientific experiments in both the Command and Service Module (CSM) and on the moon, completing 75 lunar orbits.

First U.S. Space Station Skylab

NASA successfully launches Skylab, the first American space station, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.

Docking Apollo and Soyuz Capsules

Apollo and Soyuz capsules successfully dock in space, symbolizing the end of the Space Race and the beginning of international cooperation in space exploration.

Voyager 1 Launch

Voyager 1, a robotic probe carrying various instruments to collect planetary and interstellar data, was launched on September 5, 1977. It was part of the Voyager space program that aimed to explore the outer planets and interstellar space.

Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

The crew of the space shuttle Challenger, which included teacher Christa McAuliffe, tragically lost their lives shortly after the shuttle's launch.

Launch of Cosmic Background Explorer

The Cosmic Background Explorer is launched to study the background radiation of the universe, providing valuable insights into the formation of the universe after the Big Bang. This mission would later lead to a Nobel Prize for John Mather and George Smoot.

Deployment of Hubble Space Telescope from STS-31

The Hubble Space Telescope was deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-31. Research based on Hubble data has revolutionized our understanding of the universe, including discoveries related to black holes, dark energy and matter, and exoplanets.

Launch of Hubble Space Telescope (HST) by Discovery

On April 25, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was launched into orbit by the space shuttle Discovery after overcoming delays caused by the Challenger disaster.

Mae Jemison First African-American Woman in Space

Mae Jemison made history by becoming the first African-American woman to travel to space.

Landsat 7 Launch

Landsat 7 was successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The satellite's Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) component is designed for global change studies, land cover monitoring, and large area mapping.

Eileen Collins Commands STS-93, First Woman to Command a Shuttle

On July 23, 1999, Eileen Collins made history as the first woman to command a space shuttle flight during the STS-93 mission, which carried the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.

Expedition 1 Launch to the International Space Station

Expedition 1 Commander William M. Shepherd of NASA and cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko of ROSCOSMOS lifted off to the International Space Station from Baikonur Cosmodrome, marking the start of uninterrupted human presence on the ISS.

Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster

Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven are lost during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

WMAP Picture of the Universe Release

NASA releases the WMAP baby picture of the universe, significantly advancing the understanding of the structure and evolution of the universe.

Investigative panel findings on Columbia disaster

An investigative panel discovered that superheated air likely entered Columbia's left wing and wheel compartment during re-entry, leading to the deaths of all seven astronauts on February 13, 2003.

Space Shuttle Discovery launched

Space Shuttle Discovery was launched with seven astronauts aboard, marking America’s first manned space shot since the 2003 Columbia disaster.

NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Landing and Ice Discovery

NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander successfully landed on Mars on May 25, 2008, after a 10-month, 422 million-mile journey. The lander began transmitting images back to Earth and made a significant discovery of ice on the planet.

President Obama Signs Legislation for NASA's Mars and Asteroids Exploration

President Barack Obama signed legislation focusing NASA's efforts on exploring Mars and the asteroids, emphasizing the importance of space exploration beyond Earth's orbit.

Mars Rover Curiosity Landing

The Mars rover Curiosity safely lands on Mars.

Voyager 1 in Interstellar Space

Voyager 1 spacecraft achieves the milestone of becoming the first man-made object to enter interstellar space.

First Spaceflight Test of Orion

Orion capsule successfully completes its first spaceflight test, paving the way for future deep space exploration missions.

New Horizons Flies by Pluto

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft conducts a historic flyby of Pluto, providing valuable data and images of the distant dwarf planet.

NASA Next-Generation Solar Sail Boom Technology Ready for Launch

NASA has developed next-generation solar sail boom technology that is now prepared for launch. This technology represents a significant advancement in space exploration.

End of the Timeline
NASA

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