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...
top of page
Search
tara
- Aug 21
- 3 min
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
- 3 min
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...
tara
- May 18
- 3 min
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
- 3 min
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
- 3 min
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
- 3 min
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
- 3 min
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...
tara
- Jul 28, 2022
- 3 min
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, 2022
- 3 min
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, 2022
- 3 min
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...
tara
- Feb 18, 2022
- 3 min
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
- Feb 1, 2022
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Space Shuttle Columbia explodes
On this day in 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia explodes above the skies of Texas. Columbia had once been the first space shuttle to...
tara
- Dec 11, 2021
- 3 min
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, 2021
- 3 min
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, 2021
- 3 min
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, 2021
- 3 min
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...
tara
- Feb 9, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: Apollo 14 returns from the moon
On this day in 1971, the crew of Apollo 14 splashes down in the Pacific Ocean. The astronauts had just become the third NASA crew to walk...
tara
- Jan 27, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: Apollo 1 ends in tragedy
On this day in 1967, the first manned Apollo mission ends in heartbreak. Apollo 1’s crew had been at Kennedy Space Center, preparing for...
tara
- Dec 27, 2020
- 2 min
This Day in History: Apollo 8's Christmas at the moon
On this day in 1968, Apollo 8 splashes down in the ocean. The crew had spent Christmas Eve orbiting the moon! The three men famously saw...
bottom of page