NASA Introduces Mercury Astronauts (0:56)
At a press conference in Washington, D.C., on April 9, 1959, NASA introduces the Mercury Seven to the public. The seven astronauts, selected from a pool of 508 military test pilots, were chosen for the newly formed Manned Space Program.
Speeches & Audio (10)
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NASA Introduces Mercury Astronauts
NASA Introduces Mercury AstronautsAudio Clip (0:56)
Audio Clip (0:56)
At a press conference in Washington, D.C., on April 9, 1959, NASA introduces the Mercury Seven to the public. The seven astronauts, selected from a pool of 508 military test pilots, were chosen for the newly formed Manned Space Program.
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Monkeys Travel to Space
Monkeys Travel to SpaceAudio Clip (2:00)
Audio Clip (2:00)
On May 28, 1959, in an experiment that would lead the way to manned space flight, the United States launched two monkeys to an altitude of 300 miles. A Voice of America news report details the travels of the two primates who survived the space flight and were the first in history to return safely to Earth.
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First American Woman in Space
First American Woman in SpaceAudio Clip (0:49)
Audio Clip (0:49)
Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space when the shuttle Challenger takes off on June 18, 1983. The historical moment is noted in communication just after liftoff.
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First Space Shuttle Launched
First Space Shuttle LaunchedAudio Clip (3:00)
Audio Clip (3:00)
On April 12, 1981, NASA launched the world's first reusable manned spacecraft. In the minutes before takeoff, Kennedy Space Center launch control communicates with astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen as they prepare to take Columbia on its first test flight into space and back.
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George W. Bush on the Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
George W. Bush on the Space Shuttle Columbia DisasterAudio Clip (3:15)
Audio Clip (3:15)
On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia was 16 minutes away from touchdown after completing its 28th mission when a damaged heat protection tile caused the shuttle to incinerate, killing all seven crew members. Later that day, President George W. Bush informs the nation about the terrible disaster.
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Reagan on the Challenger Disaster
Reagan on the Challenger DisasterAudio Clip (0:43)
Audio Clip (0:43)
On January 28, 1986, instead of delivering his scheduled State of the Union Address, President Ronald Reagan speaks to the American people about the space shuttle disaster that killed seven astronauts.
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Voyager Spacecraft 30 Years Later
Voyager Spacecraft 30 Years LaterAudio Clip (1:12)
Audio Clip (1:12)
As the twin Voyager spacecraft prepare to embark on an extended mission to explore interstellar space in 2006, project scientist Ed Stone of California Institute of Technology recaps the major discoveries the Voyagers have made since their launch in 1977.
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Columbia Space Shuttle Disaster
Columbia Space Shuttle DisasterAudio Clip (0:31)
Audio Clip (0:31)
On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia was returning from its 28th mission when, 16 minutes to touchdown, the shuttle incinerated and broke apart over Texas. Communication between the Columbia crew and Mission Control captures the last moments of the flight.
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Viking 1 Lands on Mars
Viking 1 Lands on MarsAudio Clip (0:20)
Audio Clip (0:20)
On July 20, 1976, NASA's Viking 1 becomes the first spacecraft to send back detailed pictures from the surface of Mars. A NASA control room recording captures the excitement of the moment.
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John F. Kennedy Sets Sights on Moon
John F. Kennedy Sets Sights on MoonAudio Clip (1:18)
Audio Clip (1:18)
In an address at Rice University on September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy rallies support for the race to space by telling his fellow Americans that the reason we endeavor to go to the moon is "not because it is easy, but because it is hard."
Videos (3)
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The NASA Files
The NASA FilesVideo Clip (3:00)
Video Clip (3:00)
UFO Researcher David Sereda believes NASA archive footage confirms the existence of dropa discs.
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Apollo 11 Moonwalk Montage
Apollo 11 Moonwalk MontageVideo Clip (2:00)
Video Clip (2:00)
See the highlights of the July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 moonwalk in newly restored raw footage. From NASA.
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The Apollo 11 Plaque
The Apollo 11 PlaqueVideo Clip (0:44)
Video Clip (0:44)
See existing footage alongside newly restored video of Neil Armstrong reading the commemorative plaque affixed to the lunar module. From NASA.
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