Top 10 mission launch photos
Launches have always been an exhilarating part of human spaceflight history. Whether it was the mighty Saturn V propelling astronauts to the Moon or the final flight of the world’s first reusable spacecraft, there have been many thrilling historic liftoffs. Relive the excitement by scrolling through our favorite 10 images
VIDEO: History Up Close – Apollo 17 spacecraft
Get closer than ever before with some of our science and space exploration learning center’s artifacts and exhibits in our video series, “History Up Close.” Today, we are exploring the Apollo 17 command module. One of three flown spacecraft in Space Center Houston’s permanent collection, the Apollo 17 command module
What are the Van Allen radiation belts?
Today we are exploring the Van Allen radiation belts. Find out what they are, when they were discovered, how we study them and more! What belts does earth wear? Van Allen radiation belts. Over 60 years ago, the United States launched its first satellite into space: Explorer 1, which included
Exploring Einstein’s world
"Matter tells spacetime how to curve, and curved spacetime tells matter how to move." -J.A. Wheeler Issac Newton’s laws described the motion of objects and gravitation. Published in 1687, Newton’s formulas are still used to describe and calculate rocket trajectories, the motion of satellites and the International Space Station. Although
VIDEO: History Up Close – Apollo 13 script
Get closer than ever before with some of our science and space exploration learning center's artifacts and exhibits in our new video series, "History Up Close." Today, we are exploring a special artifact we have in honor of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13. In 1995, Universal Pictures and Imagine
VIDEO: Thought Leader Series – Astronaut Selection and Training Process
As NASA begins to narrow the field of candidates for the newest astronaut class, we explored the astronaut selection and training process in Space Center Houston’s May Thought Leader Series, presented by UTMB. Hear about the process from Kjell Lindgren, NASA astronaut; Anne Roemer, NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) astronaut
VIDEO: History Up Close – Apollo 13 Tool Kit
Get closer than ever before with some of our science and space exploration learning center’s artifacts and exhibits in our new video series, “History Up Close.” Today, we are exploring a special artifact we have in honor of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13. This toolkit was carried in the
Mission Monday: Five fast facts about the first American in space
On May 5, 1961, NASA astronaut Alan Shepard Jr. became the first American in space. 59 years ago, Shepard launched into space inside his Freedom 7 capsule. The sub-orbital flight lasted just over 15 minutes, traveled greater than 300 miles, and climbed to an altitude of over 116 miles above
VIDEO: History Up Close – Fred Haise Pressure Suit
Get closer than ever before with some of our science and space exploration learning center’s artifacts and exhibits in our new video series, “History Up Close.” Today, we are exploring a special artifact we have in honor of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13. This pressure suit was fitted as
VIDEO: History Up Close – Apollo 13 Lunar checklist
This month we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 13 mission. In our weekly History Up Close video series, we are featuring Apollo 13 artifacts. This week, we are exploring the Apollo 13 Lunar Checklist. If the Apollo 13 mission had gone as planned and the crew
