This Day in History: Apollo 16
On this day in 1972, astronauts from Apollo 16 splash down in the Pacific Ocean. They’d just become the fifth NASA crew to successfully...
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Feb 73 min read
This Day in History: Apollo 14 returns from the moon
On this day in 1971, the crew of Apollo 14 returns to Earth. The astronauts had just become the third NASA crew to walk on the moon....
tara
Jan 163 min read
This Day in History: The Space Shuttle Columbia explodes
On this day in 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia departs on her final mission. She’d once been the first space shuttle to launch into...
tara
Dec 21, 20233 min read
This Day in History: The first untethered spacewalk
On this day in 2017, a pioneer passes away. Bruce McCandless II is best known as the NASA astronaut who made the first untethered...
tara
Sep 27, 20233 min read
This Day in History: The First Mach 3 Flight
On this day in 1956, Captain Milburn “Mel” Apt becomes the first to fly faster than Mach 3. Sadly, his Bell X-2 supersonic aircraft went...
tara
Aug 21, 20234 min read
This Day in History: The X-15 Hypersonic Plane
On this day in 1963, a NASA test pilot soars into space. Joseph A. Walker was then flying an experimental spaceplane, the X-15. The trip...
tara
Jul 19, 20233 min read
This Day in History: Neil Armstrong steps onto the moon
On this day in 1969, Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the moon. Americans had won a “space race” to get there. We’d...
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May 18, 20233 min read
This Day in History: Apollo 10's near disaster
On this day in 1969, Apollo 10 is launched. It was the last mission before Apollo 11 famously landed on the moon, but did you know that...
tara
May 3, 20233 min read
This Day in History: Astronaut Wally Schirra
On this day in 2007, Wally Schirra passes away. He is best known for his service as an astronaut at NASA: He was the fifth American and...
tara
Mar 9, 20233 min read
This Day in History: Space Shuttle Discovery
On this day in 2011, the Space Shuttle Discovery makes her final landing. The orbiter’s record in service has earned her the title...
tara
Mar 3, 20233 min read
This Day in History: Apollo 9, lost in Apollo 11’s shadow
On this day in 1969, Apollo 9 launches into space. It has been called one of the “lost and forgotten missions” in the Apollo program....
tara
Feb 7, 20233 min read
This Day in History: Alone in Space
On this day in 1932, a pioneer is born. Alfred “Al” Worden is perhaps best known for his service as the command module pilot for Apollo...
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Jul 28, 20223 min read
This Day in History: Apollo 15 & the Moon Buggy
On this day in 1971, NASA astronauts travel through space, quickly approaching the moon. Did you know that Apollo 15 carried the only...
tara
Apr 9, 20223 min read
This Day in History: Mercury Seven, the first astronauts
On this day in 1959, NASA announces the names of its first astronauts. The “Mercury Seven” were an elite group, selected only after an...
tara
Feb 28, 20223 min read
This Day in History: The 1966 NASA T-38 crash
On this day in 1966, two astronauts are tragically killed as they travel from Houston to St. Louis. Elliot See and Charles Bassett were...
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Feb 18, 20223 min read
This Day in History: The Space Shuttle Enterprise
On this day in 1977, the Space Shuttle Enterprise makes its maiden flight atop a modified Boeing 747. Did you know that NASA built an...
tara
Dec 11, 20213 min read
This Day in History: The Lost Apollo missions
On this day in 1972, Apollo 17’s lunar module touches down on the moon. It was the last time that human beings would set foot on the...
tara
Oct 5, 20213 min read
This Day in History: The nearly forgotten story of Apollo 12
On this day in 1929, a future astronaut is born. Richard “Dick” Gordon, Jr. was aboard Apollo 12 when that spacecraft was struck by...
tara
Aug 13, 20213 min read
This Day in History: Apollo 11’s crew, released from quarantine
On this day in 1969, multiple parades are held in honor of the Apollo 11 astronauts. They’d just been released from quarantine. Many...
tara
Apr 11, 20213 min read
This Day in History: Apollo 13, the “Successful Failure”
On this day in 1970, Apollo 13 is launched. Just two days later, the mission would unfortunately be struck by catastrophe. An oxygen tank...
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