NASA History

On Feb. 28, 1990, space shuttle Atlantis took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on STS-36, the sixth shuttle mission dedicated to the Department of Defense. As such, many of the details of the flight remain classified. The mission marked the 34th flight of the space shuttle, the sixth for Atlantis, and the […]

Posted March 3, 2025

NASA History

Aeronautics

Ames Research Center

Armstrong Flight Research Center

Glenn Research Center

Langley Research Center

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)

NASA Marks 110 Years Since Founding of Predecessor Organization

To celebrate the 110th anniversary of the organization that ultimately became NASA, the agency released a new collection of videos to highlight the history of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and the ways it transformed flight over four decades.

Posted March 3, 2025

Johnson Space Center

NASA History

60 Years Ago: Ranger 8 Moon Photos Aid in Apollo Site Selection

Before Apollo astronauts set foot upon the Moon, much remained unknown about the lunar surface. While most scientists believed the Moon had a solid surface that would support astronauts and their landing craft, a few believed a deep layer of dust covered it that would swallow any visitors. Until 1964, no closeup photographs of the […]

Posted February 20, 2025

Johnson Space Center

NASA History

55 Years Ago: Preps for Apollo 13 and 14, Apollo 12 Crew on World Tour

With two months to go before flight, the Apollo 13 prime crew of James Lovell, Thomas Mattingly, Fred Haise, and backups John Young, John Swigert, and Charles Duke continued to train for the 10-day mission planned to land in the Fra Mauro highlands region of the Moon. Engineers continued to prepare the Saturn V rocket […]

Posted February 20, 2025

NASA History

25 Years Ago: STS-99, the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission

On Feb. 11, 2000, space shuttle Endeavour took to the skies on its 14th trip into space on the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM).

Posted February 13, 2025

NASA History

15 Years Ago: STS-130 Delivers Tranquility and Cupola to Space Station

On Feb. 8, 2010, space shuttle Endeavour began its 24th trip into space, on the 20A assembly mission to the International Space Station, the 32nd shuttle flight to the orbiting lab. The STS-130 crew included Commander George Zamka, Pilot Terry Virts, and Mission Specialists Kathryn Hire, Stephen Robinson, Nicholas Patrick, and Robert Behnken.

Posted February 12, 2025

Johnson Space Center

NASA History

30 Years Ago: STS-63, First Shuttle and Mir Rendezvous Mission

The first shuttle mission of 1995, STS-63 included several historic firsts. As part of Phase 1 of the International Space Station program, space shuttle Discovery’s 20th flight conducted the first shuttle rendezvous with the Mir space station, in preparation for future dockings.

Posted February 3, 2025

Johnson Space Center

NASA History

STS-51C

40 Years Ago: STS-51C, the First Dedicated Department of Defense Shuttle Mission

On Jan. 24, 1985, space shuttle Discovery took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on STS-51C, the first space shuttle mission entirely dedicated to the Department of Defense (DOD). As such, many of the details of the flight remain classified.

Posted January 24, 2025

Johnson Space Center

NASA History

60 Years Ago: Uncrewed Gemini 2 Paves the Way for the First Crewed Mission

On Jan. 19, 1965, Gemini 2 successfully completed the second of two uncrewed test flights of the spacecraft and its Titan II booster, clearing the way for the first crewed mission. The 18-minute suborbital mission achieved the primary goals of flight qualifying the Gemini spacecraft, especially its heat shield during a stressful reentry.

Posted January 21, 2025

NASA History

Johnson Space Center

35 Years Ago: NASA Selects its 13th Group of Astronauts

On Jan. 17, 1990, NASA announced the selection of its 13th group of astronaut candidates. The diverse group comprised 23 candidates – seven pilots and 16 mission specialists. The group included one African American, one Asian American, and five women including the first female pilot and the first Hispanic woman. Following one year of astronaut […]

Posted January 17, 2025