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.
The US Congress created the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) on March 3, 1915. NACA was the precursor to NASA and played a significant role in aeronautical research.
The NACA announces the construction of a new laboratory in Cleveland on November 25, 1940.
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) holds a groundbreaking ceremony at the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL) in Cleveland, which later contributes significantly to World War II efforts.
E. Raymond Sharp was officially named the laboratory manager of AERL on December 1, 1942.
The first research flight with a Martin B-26 took place on March 17, 1943.
The dedication ceremony of the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL) was held on May 20, 1943.
During World War II in 1944, women were recruited to work in the Fabrication Shop of the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL) to replace male employees serving in the military. They were trained in technical positions.
In June 1945, the lab's first supersonic wind tunnel began operation.
In October 1945, the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL) underwent a major reorganization to focus on jet propulsion.
The White Sands rocket, a modified German V-2 missile, captured the first man-made photo of Earth from outer space.
In 1948, in honor of George Lewis, the lab's name was changed to NACA Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory.
On April 3, 1949, the 8-by-6 Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel began operation at the lab. Additionally, the first sponsored rocket testing for the Navy was conducted.
In 1950, a new water droplet system for the Icing Research Tunnel was perfected at the Lewis Research Center, aiding in research on aircraft icing.
In 1951, transonic compressor research was initiated at the Lewis Research Center, marking a significant advancement in aeronautical engineering.
The Lewis Research Center witnessed the first firing of a liquid hydrogen-oxygen engine in 1954, a milestone in propulsion technology.
In 1955, Neil Armstrong started his NASA career as a test pilot at the Lewis Research Center, laying the foundation for his future achievements as an astronaut.
The NACA broke ground for the Plum Brook Reactor facility in 1956, a significant step in advancing nuclear research for space exploration.
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space, marking the beginning of the space age.
Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the United States in 1958. It was sent into orbit by the Jupiter C rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
On February 1, 1958, the Earth Orbiter Vanguard 1 was launched.
Pioneer 0, an Earth Orbiter, was launched on March 17, 1958.
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.
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.
On July 29, 1958, President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, officially establishing NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
On August 17, 1958, Luna 1958A was launched with an attempted lunar orbit, but it ended in a launch failure.
Pioneer 1 was launched on September 23, 1958, with an attempted lunar impact, but unfortunately, it resulted in a launch failure.
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.
NASA launches Pioneer 1, the agency's first spacecraft inherited from the U.S. Army. It was meant to study the moon's surface but encountered a mechanical problem limiting its data transmission.
On October 12, 1958, Pioneer 2 was launched with an attempted lunar impact, but it faced a launch failure.
Luna 1958C was launched on November 8, 1958, with an attempted lunar orbit, but unfortunately, it ended in a launch failure.
Pioneer 3 was launched on December 4, 1958, with an attempted lunar impact, but it resulted in a launch failure.
An attempt to fly by the moon was made, but the launch was unsuccessful.
A spacecraft attempted to fly by the moon, possibly with the intention of impacting it.
On March 3, 1959, the United States launched Pioneer 4 with the objective of photographing the Moon from a close distance.
NASA introduces the Mercury 7, the first American astronauts, at a press conference in Washington. These military test pilots underwent rigorous examinations before being selected.
An attempted lunar impact mission failed to launch successfully.
Explorer 6, equipped with a photocell scanner, sent back a primitive image of Earth's surface and cloud cover from a distance of 17,000 miles. This marked the first photograph taken by a U.S. satellite, showing a crescent shape of the planet in sunlight.
The Luna 3 mission successfully impacted the moon.
Pioneer P-3 conducted a successful flyby of the moon.
An attempt to orbit the moon failed due to launch failure in the Luna 1960A mission.
NASA launches the first weather satellite, TIROS 1, in 1960. This satellite was a significant advancement in meteorological observations from space.
An unsuccessful attempt to fly by the moon was made in the Luna 1960B mission.
On April 18, 1960, the Pioneer P-30 spacecraft attempted a lunar flyby but the launch ended in failure.
NASA launches ECHO 1, the first communications satellite. Echo was a passive satellite that reflected radio and radar signals. Scientists used it to study the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere.
On September 25, 1960, the Mars 1960A spacecraft attempted a lunar orbiter mission but the launch was unsuccessful.
The Mars 1960B spacecraft attempted a Mars flyby on October 10, 1960, but the launch resulted in failure.
Pioneer P-31 attempted a Mars flyby on October 14, 1960, but unfortunately, the launch was unsuccessful.
On December 15, 1960, the Sputnik 7 spacecraft attempted a lunar orbiter mission but the launch ended in failure.
Venera 1 made an attempted Venus impact on February 4, 1961.
On February 12, 1961, Ranger 1 attempted a Venus flyby but contact was lost during the mission.
Alan Shepard makes a 15-minute suborbital flight, becoming the first American in space.
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 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.
Ranger 2 made an attempted lunar test flight on August 23, 1961.
On November 18, 1961, the spacecraft Ranger 3 attempted a lunar test flight.
On January 26, 1962, the spacecraft Ranger 4 attempted a lunar impact mission.
John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962, completing three orbits and showcasing American progress in space exploration.
On April 23, 1962, the spacecraft Mariner 1 successfully impacted the moon.
NASA launched the communications satellite Telstar I, the first active communications satellite, which was also the first satellite launched for a private company, AT&T. Telstar relayed the first publicly available transatlantic TV signal, showcasing iconic landmarks and events, including remarks by President Kennedy.
On July 22, 1962, the spacecraft Sputnik 19 failed to launch for a Venus flyby mission.
On August 25, 1962, the spacecraft Mariner 2 attempted a Venus flyby mission.
On August 27, 1962, the spacecraft Sputnik 20 successfully completed a Venus flyby mission.
On September 1, 1962, the spacecraft Sputnik 21 attempted a Venus flyby mission.
On September 12, 1962, the spacecraft Ranger 5 attempted a Venus flyby mission.
On October 18, 1962, the spacecraft Sputnik 22 attempted a lunar impact mission.
Mariner 2 spacecraft passes by Venus, marking the first space mission to closely study another planet. The mission revealed that Venus lacked a magnetic field.
On February 19, 1964, the Venera 1964B mission attempted a Venus flyby but faced a launch failure.
On March 1, 1964, the Luna 1964A mission attempted a Venus flyby but encountered a launch failure.
On March 21, 1964, the Cosmos 27 mission aimed to land on the moon but faced a launch failure.
On March 27, 1964, the Zond 1 mission attempted a Venus flyby.
On April 2, 1964, the Luna 1964B mission successfully completed a Venus flyby but lost contact afterwards.
On April 20, 1964, the Zond 1964A mission attempted a lunar landing but faced a launch failure.
On June 4, 1964, the Ranger 7 mission attempted a lunar landing but encountered a launch failure.
Ranger 7 was NASA's first successful mission to reach the Moon, launching on July 28, 1964, and returning 4,316 images of the Moon on July 31st.
The Electronics Research Center (ERC) was opened in September 1964 with a mission to develop new electronics and provide training for graduates and NASA employees. It was the only NASA Center to close in June 1970, despite growing personnel annually.
In November 1964, Mariner 4 attempted a flyby of Mars.
In November 1964, Zond 2 successfully completed a flyby of Mars.
In November 1964, Ranger 8 attempted a Mars flyby but lost contact during the mission.
In February 1965, Cosmos 60 impacted the moon.
In March 1965, Ranger 9 attempted a lunar landing.
In March 1965, Luna 1965A impacted the moon.
Gemini 3, with Gus Grissom and John Young aboard, completed the first Gemini mission on March 23, 1965, paving the way for further advancements in space rendezvous and extravehicular activities.
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.
In April 1965, Luna 5 attempted a lunar landing but faced a launch failure.
In May 1965, Luna 6 impacted the moon in an attempted soft landing.
In June 1965, Zond 3 attempted a lunar landing.
On March 31, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter mission, named Luna 1966A, was launched.
On April 30, 1966, there was an attempted Lunar Orbiter mission, but unfortunately, it ended in a launch failure. The mission was named Surveyor 1.
On May 30, 1966, the Lunar Lander mission named Explorer 33 successfully landed on the moon.
Surveyor 1 successfully landed on the moon, becoming the first American spacecraft to achieve this feat.
On July 1, 1966, there was an attempted Lunar Orbiter mission named Lunar Orbiter 1.
On August 10, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter mission named Luna 11 was launched.
On August 24, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter mission involving Surveyor 2 was conducted.
On September 20, 1966, an attempted Lunar Lander mission named Luna 12 was carried out.
On October 22, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter mission named Lunar Orbiter 2 was launched.
On November 6, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter mission named Luna 13 was launched.
On December 21, 1966, a Lunar Lander mission took place.
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.
April 17, 1967, marked the mission involving Lunar Lander and Lunar Orbiter 4.
May 8, 1967, witnessed the Lunar Orbiter Venera 4 mission.
On June 12, 1967, the Venus Probe Mariner 5 was launched.
The Venus Flyby Cosmos 167 mission took place on June 14, 1967.
An attempted Venus Probe mission named Surveyor 4 was conducted on June 17, 1967.
On July 14, 1967, an attempted Lunar Lander mission with Explorer 35 (IMP-E) was carried out.
The Lunar Orbiter Lunar Orbiter 5 mission occurred on July 19, 1967.
August 1, 1967, saw the Lunar Orbiter Surveyor 5 mission taking place.
The X-15, a groundbreaking research aircraft, concludes its final flight after nearly 10 years of operation. It set speed and altitude records while contributing valuable data to future piloted spaceflight programs like Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle.
The Apollo 8 mission begins.
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.
On February 21, 1969, an attempted lunar orbiter mission named Mariner 6 faced a launch failure.
Mariner 7 successfully conducted a Mars flyby on February 25, 1969.
An attempted Mars orbiter mission named Mars 1969B encountered a launch failure on March 27, 1969.
Luna 1969B faced a launch failure during an attempted Mars orbiter mission on April 2, 1969.
On April 15, 1969, an attempted lunar sample return mission by Apollo 10 ended in a launch failure.
Luna 1969C successfully orbited the moon with a crew on May 18, 1969.
Zond L1S-2 faced a launch failure during an attempted lunar sample return mission on June 14, 1969.
On July 3, 1969, Luna 15 was launched as an attempted Lunar Orbiter but unfortunately faced a launch failure.
Apollo 11 mission on July 13, 1969, involved a Lunar Orbiter that possibly attempted a Lunar Lander.
Apollo 11 mission takes place, with Neil Armstrong becoming the first human to set foot 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.'
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.
Cosmos 300 conducted a Lunar Flyby and safely returned to Earth on August 7, 1969.
On September 23, 1969, Cosmos 305 made an attempt for a Lunar Sample Return mission.
Apollo 12 mission on October 22, 1969, aimed for a Lunar Sample Return but faced challenges.
Luna 1970A successfully executed a crewed Lunar Landing on November 14, 1969.
Luna 1970B faced a launch failure in its attempt for a Lunar Sample Return on February 6, 1970.
On February 19, 1970, an attempted lunar orbiter mission, known as Apollo 13, faced a launch 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.
Apollo 15 Commander David Scott becomes the first person to drive the lunar roving vehicle on the surface of the Moon, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
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.
On March 31, 1972, there was an attempted Venus Probe mission as part of the Apollo 16 mission.
On April 16, 1972, a crewed Lunar Landing mission was conducted as part of the Soyuz L3 mission.
Landsat 1 was launched, marking the beginning of over 40 years of continuous monitoring of the Earth's land surfaces, oceans, and atmosphere.
On November 23, 1972, there was an attempted Lunar Orbiter mission which unfortunately ended in a launch failure as part of the Apollo 17 mission.
On December 7, 1972, a crewed Lunar Landing mission was conducted by Luna 21/Lunokhod 2.
Apollo 17 marks the final manned mission to the moon.
Eugene Cernan and Harrison 'Jack' Schmitt became the last astronauts to walk on the moon in December 1972.
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.
On January 8, 1973, a Lunar Rover mission was conducted by Pioneer 11.
On April 5, 1973, there was a Jupiter/Saturn Flyby mission as part of Skylab.
NASA successfully launches Skylab, the first American space station, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
On June 10, 1973, a Lunar Orbiter/Radio Astronomy mission was conducted by Mars 4.
On July 21, 1973, there was a Mars Flyby mission which attempted to become a Mars Orbiter as part of Mars 5.
On July 25, 1973, the Mars Orbiter mission was launched.
On August 5, 1973, Mars Lander mission Mars 7 lost contact.
Mariner 10 attempted Mars Flyby with the intention of landing on Mars on August 9, 1973.
On November 4, 1973, Luna 22 conducted flybys of Venus and Mercury.
Luna 23 was launched on June 2, 1974, for lunar orbiting mission.
Venera 9 attempted a lunar sample return mission in 1974.
The United States launched its first space station, Skylab, in May 1975.
Venera 10 mission included both orbiter and lander for Venus exploration on June 8, 1975.
Viking 1 mission included both orbiter and lander for Venus exploration on June 14, 1975.
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project took place on July 15, 1975, demonstrating international cooperation in space as an Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soyuz spacecraft.
Apollo and Soyuz capsules successfully dock in space, symbolizing the end of the Space Race and the beginning of international cooperation in space exploration.
Viking 2 mission included both orbiter and lander for Mars exploration on August 20, 1975.
On September 9, 1975, the Mars Orbiter and Lander Luna 1975A mission was launched.
On October 16, 1975, an attempted lunar sample return mission for Luna 24 was made.
American Apollo 18 and Soviet Soyuz 19 spacecrafts docked in space as part of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in July 1976.
Viking 1 successfully lands on Mars, initiating NASA's 40-year exploration of the Red Planet.
On August 9, 1976, the Lunar Sample Return mission for Voyager 2 was successful.
Voyager 2, another robotic probe in the Voyager space program, was launched on August 20, 1977. It played a crucial role in collecting data about the outer planets and interstellar space.
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.
NASA announces the selection of 35 new astronauts, including the first women and African-Americans.
Pioneer Venus 2 successfully orbited Venus on May 20, 1978.
On August 8, 1978, the Venus Probes mission involving ISEE-3 and ICE was launched.
Venera 11 conducted flybys of Comet Giacobini-Zinner and Halley on August 12, 1978.
On March 24, 1979, the space shuttle Columbia arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for the first time.
In September 1980, the U.S. probe Pioneer 11 reached Saturn and started transmitting images.
On April 12, 1981, Columbia became the first Space Shuttle to be launched, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
Voyager 2 spacecraft reached Saturn and started sending back images.
On November 13, 1981, Voyager 1 reached Saturn and began transmitting images of the planet.
The second Space Shuttle, Challenger, was successfully launched.
Pioneer 10 becomes the first spacecraft to travel beyond the orbits of the known planets, heading towards the star Aldebaran in the distant future.
Sally Ride makes history by becoming the first American woman to travel to space.
Sally Ride made history by becoming the first American woman in space during Challenger's second mission.
Guy Bluford becomes the first African-American astronaut to travel to space.
Astronaut Bruce McCandless achieved the first untethered space walk in history.
The crew of space shuttle mission STS-41-C successfully conducts the first on orbit satellite repair by replacing instruments on the Solar Max satellite.
The third Space Shuttle, Discovery, was successfully launched.
On December 21, 1984, a Venus Lander and Balloon mission was conducted along with a Comet Halley Flyby.
Giotto spacecraft conducted a flyby of Comet Halley on January 7, 1985.
Suisei (Planet-A) performed a flyby of Comet Halley on July 2, 1985.
Phobos 1 conducted a Comet Halley Flyby in 1985, 1986, and 1987.
Voyager 2 started sending images from the planet Uranus.
The crew of the space shuttle Challenger, which included teacher Christa McAuliffe, tragically lost their lives shortly after the shuttle's launch.
The fourth Space Shuttle, Atlantis, was launched on this day.
In May 1988, the Advanced Turboprop team at NASA Lewis received the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy.
Phobos 2 made an attempt to orbit Mars and land on Phobos on July 7, 1988.
Magellan spacecraft was sent to orbit Mars and make an attempted landing on Phobos on July 12, 1988.
Galileo spacecraft was launched to orbit Venus on May 4, 1989.
An orbiter mission to Jupiter was conducted on October 18, 1989.
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.
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.
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.
The Magellan spacecraft initiated mapping the surface of Venus using radar technology.
In 1991, the Lewis Center marks its 50th anniversary and unveils the new Edward R. Sharp Employee Center.
The Space Shuttle Endeavor was launched on its first journey into space.
The Space Shuttle Discovery successfully released the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit.
Mae Jemison made history by becoming the first African-American woman to travel to space.
The United States and Russia agree to enhance their collaboration in human spaceflight. This partnership led to significant milestones such as Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev flying aboard an American spacecraft in 1994 and American astronaut Norm Thagard spending 115 days on the Russian space station in 1995.
The United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, and the European Space Agency declare their joint efforts in constructing the International Space Station. This collaboration marks a significant step towards international cooperation in space exploration.
The Space Shuttle Endeavour carried the Space Radar Laboratory, which held the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C with the X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar. It provided the first multi-frequency radar data sets from space, covering approximately 38.5 million miles of Earth and imaging more than 400 sites.
Color composite radar images of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines were acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The images showed significant changes in the area over five months.
Eileen Collins achieved the milestone of being the first female pilot of a Space Shuttle.
Sergei Krikalev became the first Russian cosmonaut to fly aboard a Space Shuttle.
In December 1996, Mars Lander and Rover mission was launched.
On July 4, 1997, the Mars Pathfinder and its rover, Sojourner, landed on the Red Planet's surface, marking the first rover mission to Mars.
On October 15, 1997, the Saturn Orbiter Huygens mission was launched.
On December 24, 1997, the Lunar Flyby mission with Lunar Prospector took place.
In January 1998, the Lunar Orbiter mission with Nozomi (Planet-B) was launched.
On July 3, 1998, the Mars Orbiter mission with Deep Space 1 (DS1) was launched.
In July 1998, the Mars Pathfinder successfully landed on Mars and started sending back images of the Martian surface.
On August 6, 1998, the Pathfinder-Plus solar-powered aircraft achieved a record altitude of 80,201 feet.
In October 1998, the Asteroid and Comet Flyby mission with Mars Climate Orbiter was launched.
On October 29, 1998, John Glenn made his return to space aboard the STS-95 mission.
On December 6, 1998, the crew of space shuttle mission STS-88 successfully attached the U.S.-built Unity node and the Russian-built Zarya module in orbit, marking the beginning of the International Space Station.
On December 11, 1998, an attempted Mars Orbiter mission with Mars Polar Lander took place.
In January 1999, an attempted Mars Lander mission with Deep Space 2 (DS2) was launched.
On February 7, 1999, the Comet Coma Sample Return mission was launched, which included the 2000, 2001, and 2001 Mars Odyssey projects.
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.
On May 29, 1999, the Space Shuttle docked with the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time during the STS-96 mission. This marked a significant milestone in the construction of the ISS.
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 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.
The U.S. Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft started sending images of the asteroid Eros in February 2001.
American Dennis Tito made history by becoming the first tourist in space after paying $20,000,000 to the Russian space program in 2001.
On August 8, 2001, the Solar Wind Sample Return mission was launched, along with the CONTOUR project in 2002.
On July 3, 2002, there was a mission involving the fly-by of three Comet Nuclei, leading to the Hayabusa (Muses-C) project in 2003.
Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew of seven are lost during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
NASA releases the WMAP baby picture of the universe, significantly advancing the understanding of the structure and evolution of the universe.
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.
On May 9, 2003, the Asteroid Orbiter and Sample Return mission was conducted, in collaboration with the Mars Express project.
On June 2, 2003, the Mars Orbiter and Lander mission took place, involving the Spirit (MER-A) project.
The Mars Rover mission with Opportunity (MER-B) was initiated on June 10, 2003.
On July 8, 2003, the Mars Rover mission was carried out with the SMART 1 project.
NASA's Galileo mission concluded a 14-year exploration of Jupiter and its moons by crashing the spacecraft into Jupiter at a speed of 108,000 mph.
President Bush announced a new space program aiming to send humans back to the moon by 2015 and establish a base for Mars and further space exploration.
On March 2, 2004, the MESSENGER spacecraft was sent to orbit and land on a comet.
On March 8, 2004, the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit captured the first image of Earth from the surface of Mars.
The Mercury Orbiter 2005 Deep Impact mission began on August 3, 2004.
The X-43A aircraft sets a speed record of Mach 9.6, showcasing advancements in aerospace technology.
On January 12, 2005, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission involved rendezvous and impact with a comet.
ESA's Huygens probe successfully lands on Saturn's moon Titan after traveling with the Cassini spacecraft, providing valuable insights into the moon's composition.
A NASA spacecraft collided with a comet half the size of Manhattan, creating a brilliant cosmic smashup to study the building blocks of life on earth.
Space Shuttle Discovery was launched with seven astronauts aboard, marking America’s first manned space shot since the 2003 Columbia disaster.
The Mars Orbiter Venus Express mission was launched on August 12, 2005.
Stardust mission returns to Earth with samples collected from Comet Wild-2.
The Pluto/Charon and Kuiper Belt Flyby 2007 Phoenix mission was initiated on January 19, 2006.
On August 4, 2007, the Kaguya (SELENE) spacecraft landed as part of the Small Mars Scout mission.
On August 8, 2007, Space Shuttle Endeavour launched with a crew of seven members, including teacher-astronaut Barbara Morgan. Morgan's presence marked the return of a teacher in space since the Challenger disaster in 1986.
The Lunar Orbiter Dawn mission took place on September 14, 2007.
On September 27, 2007, the Asteroid Ceres and Vesta Orbiter mission was launched.
On October 24, 2007, the CAST Lunar Orbiter mission was launched.
On January 14, 2008, the NASA space probe Messenger passed just 124 miles above the surface of Mercury, providing valuable data and insights about the planet.
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.
On October 22, 2008, the ISRO Lunar Orbiter mission was launched.
After being a year into his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, he received the life-changing news that he was selected as a NASA astronaut out of 18,000 applicants. The rigorous selection process included interviews, tests, and evaluations.
On March 6, 2009, the NASA spacecraft Kepler was launched. Its mission is to search for planets outside our solar system, in a distant area of the Milky Way.
On March 7, 2009, the Extrasolar Terrestrial Planet Detection Mission was launched.
NASA launched the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) on June 18, 2009. The mission aimed to confirm the presence or absence of ice on the moon.
On November 13, 2009, NASA scientists announced the discovery of a 'significant amount' of ice in a crater near the moon’s South Pole.
Astronaut T.J. Creamer sends the first unassisted Tweet from space while aboard the International Space Station.
On October 1, 2010, the CAST Lunar Orbiter mission was launched.
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.
On July 8, 2011, the space shuttle Atlantis made its final launch, marking the end of the American space shuttle program. The mission, STS-135, delivered essential supplies and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS).
In July 16, 2011, NASA's Dawn spacecraft achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first man-made craft to orbit an asteroid. This accomplishment demonstrated the advancement of space exploration technology.
On July 21, 2011, the space shuttle Atlantis completed its final flight, marking the end of the space shuttle program. It was a significant moment in the history of space exploration.
On August 5, 2011, the Jupiter Orbiter GRAIL was launched.
On September 10, 2011, the Lunar Orbiter Phobos-Grunt was launched.
On November 8, 2011, an attempted Mars Orbiter Mars Science Laboratory mission was conducted.
On November 26, 2011, the Mars Rover 2012 2013 LADEE mission was initiated.
The Mars rover Curiosity safely lands on Mars.
Voyager 1 spacecraft achieves the milestone of becoming the first man-made object to enter interstellar space.
The first commercial resupply mission is launched to the International Space Station, marking a new era in space logistics.
On September 6, 2013, the Lunar Orbiter Mangalyaan was launched.
On November 5, 2013, the ISRO (India) Mars Orbiter MAVEN was launched.
On November 18, 2013, the Mars Scout Mission Orbiter Chang'e 3 was launched.
On December 1, 2013, the Lunar Lander and Rover 2014 Chang'e 5 Test Vehicle was launched.
NASA is working on designs to reduce sonic booms for supersonic flights over land, which are currently banned by the FAA. Small-scale model designs by Boeing and Lockheed Martin are being tested in wind tunnels to study air flow through engines.
On October 23, 2014, the spacecraft Hayabusa 2 conducted a lunar flyby and return mission.
JAXA successfully completed the asteroid sample return mission using the spacecraft PROCYON on December 3, 2014.
Orion capsule successfully completes its first spaceflight test, paving the way for future deep space exploration missions.
NASA announces the first commercial crew members, including Doug Hurley, Eric Boe, Bob Behnken, and Suni Williams, for upcoming spaceflights.
NASA's New Horizons spacecraft conducts a historic flyby of Pluto, providing valuable data and images of the distant dwarf planet.
Katherine Johnson, along with other female 'computers', is honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their significant contributions to the early success of the U.S. space program.
The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully deployed the Mars orbiter and lander OSIRIS-REx on March 14, 2016.
NASA's Juno spacecraft successfully enters orbit around Jupiter, beginning its mission to study the planet's atmosphere and magnetic field.
In September 2016, the InSight mission initiated a sample return mission to the asteroid Bennu.
On June 7, 2017, NASA announced the selection of 12 new astronauts to join their team.
A total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. becomes a major online event for NASA, with over 50 million viewers watching the eclipse through NASA's web streams and website.
On May 5, 2018, the Mars Lander Queqiao successfully landed on Mars.
The China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched the lunar relay satellite Parker Solar Probe on May 20, 2018.
The Solar Orbiter conducted Venus flybys as part of the BepiColombo mission on August 12, 2018.
NASA launches the final stage of a four-year effort to develop a national traffic management system for UAVs, testing beyond visual line of sight flights in cities for the first time.
NASA's astronaut candidates are set to graduate with a focus on Artemis missions, aiming to return humans to the Moon. The event marks a significant step in preparing astronauts for future space exploration endeavors.
Jonny Kim graduated from NASA Astronaut training on January 10, 2020, after being selected to join NASA Astronaut Group 22.
Katherine Johnson, a noted NASA computer(mathematician), passes away at the age of 101.
On July 30, 2020, Mars Rover and Rotorcraft mission took place.
On January 17, 2021, the Microgravity Particle Collision Study CubeSat project was initiated.
On October 16, 2021, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) conducted Trojan Asteroid Flybys.
On November 24, 2021, the Asteroid Dimorphos Impactor mission, LICIACube, was executed.
On December 25, 2021, the L2 Orbiting Infrared Observatory project, CAPSTONE, was initiated for 2022.
NASA has developed advanced solar sail boom technology that is set for launch. This innovation represents a significant step forward in space exploration and propulsion.
On June 28, 2022, the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri) conducted Lunar Navigation Test.
NASA has developed next-generation solar sail boom technology that is now prepared for launch. This technology represents a significant advancement in space exploration.
The altitude chamber used for testing spacecraft has been upgraded in preparation for Artemis II mission. Testing of spacecraft for this mission has commenced.
NASA has made the PACE data regarding ocean, atmosphere, and climate available for access. This data provides valuable insights into Earth's environment.
The Artemis 1 mission commences.
NASA has announced a new mission to Saturn, aiming to explore and study the planet and its moons. The specific objectives and goals of the mission have not been disclosed.
The NASA webpage was last updated on March 1, 2024.
A NASA scientist has viewed the first images from the Voyager mission, experiencing a profound and chilling impact from what was observed.
On March 20, 2024, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center was last updated by Dave Williams. The update was signed off by DRW.
NASA's leadership highlighted the importance of space sustainability during the Space Symposium. The focus was on ensuring the long-term viability of space activities and resources.
NASA observed the total solar eclipse that occurred on April 8, 2024, providing valuable insights and data.
NASA launches a space sustainability strategy to tackle the challenges posed by orbital debris in space.
NASA Langley team will study the weather conditions during an eclipse using uncrewed vehicles.
A two-day symposium honoring Dr. Thomas L. Sever will be held in Washington, D.C. to discuss NASA's contributions to archaeology from space.
The Lunar Lander mission Blue Ghost 2 (Firefly) is set for 2025.
JAXA plans a Phobos Sample Return Mission named Dragonfly for 2026.
In 2028, a quadcopter mission is planned to explore Titan, one of Saturn's moons.
In 2031, the VERITAS mission will perform a Venus flyby and atmospheric probe to gather data about the planet.