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Items tagged with: NASAHistory


NASA Administrator Dr. Thomas Paine (left) and U.S. President Richard M. Nixon wait aboard the U.S.S. Hornet recovery ship for the splashdown of the Apollo 11 command module #OTD in 1969.

Read more about Apollo 11's return to Earth: https://go.nasa.gov/3OghnvV
#NASAhistory


Happy 24th birthday @chandraxray! Seen here just before being deployed from Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-93) #OTD in 1999, this powerful space observatory was initially expected to function for 5 years.

Read how Chandra has vastly advanced X-ray astronomy: https://go.nasa.gov/3OfPXWV
#NASAhistory


An unbeatable view

As the Apollo 11 astronauts make their way back home, they capture this image of Earth not long after leaving the Moon's gravitational sphere of influence.

See more photos captured by the Apollo 11 astronauts: https://go.nasa.gov/43todCz
#NASAhistory


"That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."

Neil Armstrong's famous words upon stepping onto the Moon's surface were witnessed by 650 million people from around the globe #OTD in 1969. Watch ▢️ https://go.nasa.gov/46UfwEf

Do you have recollections of this day?
#NASAhistory


50 years ago, Skylab's prime spider, Arabella, was preparing for launch. From over 3,400 proposals from high school students across the country, the "Web Formation" experiment was one of 25 chosen to fly on Skylab. #Skylab50

πŸ“Έ Dr. Ray Gause feeds Arabella a fly in July 1973
#NASAhistory


Judith Miles, a high school student from Lexington, Mass. (shown here discussing her project), proposed the β€œWeb Formation in Zero Gravity” experiment to determine how well spiders adapt to microgravity.

Learn more about her experiment: https://go.nasa.gov/3OhDEt4
#NASAhistory


These students were the first ever to have experiments flown in space, but they weren't the last. Student experiments have been conducted on the @Space_Station over the last 20+ years.

πŸ“Έ The 25 students whose Skylab experiments were chosen meet at @NASA_Marshall in May 1972
#NASAhistory


10 years ago today the Cassini spacecraft peered past Saturn's rings and captured this image of a distant bluish planet and its moon. That's Earth, seen from over 900 million miles away! #SmileYoureOnCassiniCamera

Why was this photo taken? Read: https://go.nasa.gov/44NA2o7
#NASAhistory


This one was too easy but thanks to all who played along. Chile is correct!!
#NASAhistory


On his birthday, we remember the legendary John Glenn. One of NASA's first 7 astronauts, Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962 and the first astronaut to be elected to Congress in 1974.

https://go.nasa.gov/3Dhmi9J
#NASAhistory


Geo-quiz time! πŸ€”

Launched just before Y2K in Dec. 1999, NASA's Terra satellite has provided a continuous view of Earth over its 23 years of operation.

This is one of the very first images Terra took with its MODIS instrument on Feb. 24, 2000. What country's coastline is this?
#NASAhistory


#OTD in 1966, John Young and Michael Collins launched for the 3-day Gemini X mission. The astronauts rendezvoused with 2 Agena target vehicles, set a record altitude for humans in space, and performed a spacewalk from one spacecraft to another.

Read more https://go.nasa.gov/3OggYtp
#NASAhistory


Major General Robert White earned his astronaut wings in the X-15 when he reached 95.9 km (59.6 mi) in altitude #OTD in 1962, setting a world record.

Oh, and he was also the first pilot to fly to Mach 4, 5 & 6 #avgeeks #aviation @NASAaero
https://go.nasa.gov/3PLZB4T

πŸ“· @usairforce
#NASAhistory


#OTD in 2011, NASA's Dawn spacecraft entered Vesta's orbit, studying the asteroid's geology and composition. Dawn revealed that Vesta is actually a protoplanet surviving from the earliest days of the solar system!

Learn more about the Dawn mission: https://go.nasa.gov/3NSTKrM
#NASAhistory


Nearly 4 hours after launch on July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 crew captures this photo of our home planet on their way to the Moon.
#NASAhistory


"This is Apollo Saturn Launch Control. We've passed the 11-minute mark. Now T-minus 10 min. 54 sec. on our countdown for Apollo 11."

Experience the July 16, 1969 launch of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins' mission to the Moon in real time: https://apolloinrealtime.org/11/
#NASAhistory


Fueling up for an epic day in spaceflight history πŸ₯© 🍳

Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin were joined by Bill Anders (left) and Deke Slayton (right) for the traditional pre-flight breakfast of steak and eggs hours before liftoff #OTD in 1969.
#NASAhistory


This is aerospace engineer John C. Houbolt, the leading proponent of the lunar orbit rendezvous (LOR) plan (chosen #OTD in 1962) which made possible John F. Kennedy's goal of sending astronauts to the Moon and bringing them back home safely before the end of the 1960s. 🧡
#NASAhistory


Which of these did Houbolt write in a bold 9-page letter to NASA's associate administrator? #TriviaTuesday

A. "Prithee, Robert, answer me honestly."
B. "Do we want to go to the Moon or not?"
C. "This idea has been treated very unfairly."
D. "Might I suggest one small step?"
#NASAhistory


The Day Communication Went Global 🌍

Telstar 1, the world's first active communication satellite, was launched by NASA #OTD in 1962. Almost two weeks later, it relayed the first live transatlantic TV broadcast.

Watch 1962 news footage: https://go.nasa.gov/3reJfrh

πŸ“· @BellLabs
#NASAhistory


#OTD in 1967, Robert H. Lawrence was chosen for the MOL program: the first African-American selected as an astronaut for a U.S. space program. Tragically, he was killed in an accident before going to space.

More about Lawrence's legacy: https://go.nasa.gov/3NPi6nJ

πŸ“Έ @usairforce
#NASAhistory


#OTD in 1965, NASA formally announced its first class of scientist-astronaut candidates βš›οΈπŸ”­πŸ©Ί

1st row: F. Curtis Michel, Harrison Schmitt, Joseph Kerwin. 2nd row: Owen Garriott and Edward Gibson

Read Joe Kerwin's essay about being part of this class: https://go.nasa.gov/3pydAQV
#NASAhistory


Hands up if this is your dream job βœ‹

In 1968, this group of NASA researchers was building and drop testing lifting bodies from a radio-controlled mothership in support of NASA's lifting body program.

How the lifting bodies led to the Space Shuttle: https://go.nasa.gov/4327MNh
#NASAhistory


The last Shuttle mission with a crew of two πŸ‘¨β€πŸš€ πŸ‘¨β€πŸš€

#OTD in 1982, Apollo 16 astronaut Ken Mattingly and pilot Henry Hartsfield launched on the 4th and final test flight of the Space Shuttle Program, STS-4.

Learn more: https://go.nasa.gov/431M6AO
#NASAhistory


Protected eyes βœ… Looking cool βœ…

Happy #NationalSunglassesDay 😎 Dr. Keith Manuel created a special titanium alloy frame without hinge screws for @NASA_Astronauts in the early '90s. The super-dark lenses of these shades blocked both UV and IR rays.

https://go.nasa.gov/43QawP7
#NASAhistory


While most aircraft run on fossil fuels, NASA has been working on alternatives for decades. 🌱

Helios, a record-breaking, remotely-piloted, solar-powered aircraft, suffered a mishap #20YearsAgo today, breaking apart over the Pacific.

More about Helios: https://go.nasa.gov/447cmLh
#NASAhistory


"What a way to come to California!" β€”Bob Crippen, STS-7 Commander

STS-7 touched down at Edwards Air Force Base #OTD in 1983, successfully completing Space Shuttle Challenger's 2nd mission.

More about STS-7, NASA's first space mission to include a woman: https://go.nasa.gov/3XhpwD4
#NASAhistory


Born in Hawaii #OTD in 1946, Ellison Onizuka served in the @usairforce before making history as the first Asian-American astronaut to reach space. He tragically lost his life on the Space Shuttle Challenger accident in 1986.

More on Onizuka's legacy: https://go.nasa.gov/3qNE3u1
#NASAhistory


On this #F86Friday, we remember the F-86F Sabre which was used as a chase aircraft for the D-558-2 Skyrocket and for pitch-up research. Primarily used during the Korean War, insights gained from its @NASAaero research shaped future aircraft.

Read more: https://go.nasa.gov/3PrmBpM
#NASAhistory


Pete Conrad, Joe Kerwin, and Paul Weitz splashed down in the Pacific Ocean #OTD in 1973, successfully completing the Skylab 2 mission. #Skylab50

The record for longest time spent in space was now 28 days. https://go.nasa.gov/3NKEZbT
#NASAhistory


#50YearsAgo today, the Skylab 2 crew said goodbye to Skylab and prepared for their return to Earth, taking this photo of the station that had been their home for the last 26 days.

Despite the slow start on the damaged station, they had salvaged the program, managed to accomplish the majority of their science goals, and broke the space endurance record during their stay! #Skylab50

Read more: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/50-years-ago-skylab-2-astronauts-splash-down-after-record-breaking-28-day-mission
#NASAhistory


With 135 Space Shuttle missions spanning 1981-2011, what makes NASA's 57th special? #OTD 30 years ago, STS-57 launched with the first Spacehab module, providing extra workspace for experiments.

Read more about the mission: https://go.nasa.gov/3NjJxnT
#NASAhistory


#OTD in 2008, the Ocean Surface Topography Mission/Jason-2 satellite launched to measure changes in sea-level rise. For a decade, it helped display the relationship between ocean circulation and climate change as well as weather forecasts!

Read more: https://go.nasa.gov/3XbLkQA
#NASAhistory


Cruising into Monday like a boss βœ…

Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-111) made a picture-perfect landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California #OTD in 2002. @NASAArmstrong

More moments from Endeavour's history: https://go.nasa.gov/3Jgy8US
#NASAhistory


#40YearsAgo today at 7:33 a.m. EST, Sally K. Ride became the first American woman to go to space.

Sending a cosmic salute to all the fearless women astronauts who've soared beyond boundaries and inspired generations. 🌟 πŸ’ͺ πŸ‘©β€πŸš€ #WomeninSpace #Inspiration
#NASAhistory


The "8 Balls" astronaut class turns 10 today! 🎱

NASA's 21st astronaut class of 8 exceptional men and women, chosen from >6,000 candidates, was announced #OTD in 2013. 2 of them, @Astro_Christina and @AstroVicGlover, have since been selected to fly to the Moon on #Artemis II.
#NASAhistory


What was the last astronaut group to include members that went to the Moon?

Group 5, selected in 1966.
#NASAhistory


This weekend we're celebrating the 40th anniversary of Sally Ride's trailblazing flight on STS-7! πŸŽ‰πŸŒŸ As the 1st American woman in space, she ignited the imagination of millions and paved the way for future generations of space explorers. #ShineLikeSally
https://go.nasa.gov/3p804U6
#NASAhistory


This weekend we're celebrating the 40th anniversary of Sally Ride's trailblazing flight on STS-7! πŸŽ‰πŸŒŸ As the 1st American woman in space, she ignited the imagination of millions and paved the way for future generations of space explorers. #ShineLikeSally
https://go.nasa.gov/3p804U6
#NASAhistory

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