Space Exploration: Timeline and Technologies | HISTORY

Topics

Apollo 11

Featured

1969 Moon Landing

JFK’s Pledge Leads to Start of Apollo Program The American effort to send astronauts to the moon had its origins in an appeal President Kennedy made to a special joint session of Congress on May 25, 1961: “I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing […]

Astronaut Neil Armstrong, Commander of NASA's Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, photographed at the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) in Houston, Texas, July 1969.

Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) was a U.S. astronaut who became the first human to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969, as part of the Apollo 11 mission.

HISTORY: Apollo 13

Apollo 13

Apollo 13’s Mission On April 11, 1970, Apollo 13 launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. On board were astronauts James Lovell, John “Jack” Swigert and Fred Haise. Their mission was to reach the Fra Mauro highlands of the moon and explore the Imbrium Basin, conducting geological experiments along the way. WATCH: Apollo 13: Modern Marvels on […]

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin inside the Apollo 11 prior to the lunar landing on July 20, 1969. (Credit: NASA)

Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin became the second man to walk on the moon during NASA’s 1969 Apollo 11 mission. Beyond that historic moment, Aldrin played a critical behind-the-scenes role in solving some of the thorniest challenges of manned space flight.

Stories

Featured

Our Changing View of Earth from Space: Photos

Since the Apollo missions began, space programs have offered a unique perspective on our home planet.

Little-Known Facts About the Moon Landing

8 Little-Known Facts About the Moon Landing

When Neil Armstrong stepped down a ladder and onto the moon on July 20, 1969, the nation achieved an audacious vision. But there were surprising moments along the way and not everything went as expected.

See Photos of How Astronauts Trained for the Apollo Moon Missions

NASA created simulations that mimicked everything from the moon’s gravity to its landscape.

History of Homework

How the Cold War Space Race Led to US Students Doing Tons of Homework

In the first half of the 20th century, U.S. educators shunned homework. The Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1 changed that.

Videos

1957

This Day in History: 10/04/1957 – Sputnik Launched

Space Exploration

This Day in History: 05/05/1961 – The first American in space

Space Exploration

This Day In History: 04/25/1983 – Andropov Writes to Student

Space Exploration

This Day In History: 04/17/1970 – Apollo 13 Returns to Earth

Space Exploration

This Day in History

2006

Pluto is demoted

Space Exploration

1990

“Pale Blue Dot” photo of Earth is taken

Space Exploration

2004

The Mars Exploration Rover “Spirit” safely lands on the Red Planet

Space Exploration

2000

First residential crew arrives aboard the International Space Station

Space Exploration

2011

NASA’s final space shuttle mission comes to an end

Space Exploration

1957

This Day in History: 10/04/1957 – Sputnik Launched

Space Exploration