Space shuttle launch
Created by an Act of Congress, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration began on Oct. 1, 1958. NASA's preamble, as written on its website, is "An Act to provide for research into the problems of flight within the outside the Earth's atmosphere, and for other purposes." Upon its creation, NASA absorbed the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
Space Flight
The United States launched the first Earth satellite on Jan. 31, 1958. The first high-profile human spaceflight was Project Mercury. On May 5, 1961, Alan B. Shepard Jr. became the first American in space when he took a 15-minute suborbital mission. On Feb. 20, 1962, John H. Glenn Jr. became the first U.S. astronaut to orbit Earth. On June 3, 1965, Edward H. White Jr. became the first U.S. astronaut to conduct a spacewalk.
Moon Landing
Moon
Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969. Operating the space shuttle were Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. and Michael Collins. Stepping onto the moon on July 20, 1969, Armstrong said, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."
International Cooperation
The United States and the Soviet Union (now known as Russia) held a joint international spaceflight in 1975, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). Launching from their respective countries, the astronauts met in space to conduct experiments.
Space Shuttle
The first space shuttle mission occurred on April 12, 1981. On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman to fly in space. On Jan. 28, 1986, Challenger exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. On Sept. 29, 1988, the space shuttle program returns to flight. On Feb. 1, 2003, Columbia disintegrated 15 minutes before landing.
Skylab
Established in 1973, the Skylab program launched a small orbital space workshop. Three successful human Skylab missions took place, lasting 28, 59 and 84 days.
International Space Station
After exploration and design from 1984 to 1993, the United States and Russia jointly built the International Space Station (ISS). Building began in 1998. Permanent habitation began on Nov. 2, 2000.
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