NASA History | APPEL Knowledge Services

Gemini VII as seen from Gemini VI-A during the more than five hours of maneuvering the astronauts performed during the first spacecraft rendezvous. The two spacecraft are approximately 43 feet apart at this point, eventually closing to about one foot apart. Credit: NASA

This Month in NASA History: Gemini VII Becomes A Pilot’s Mission

December 4, 2020 // by Kevin Wilcox

Borman, Lovell set record for space endurance and rendezvous with Gemini VI-A.

Pictured in their flight suits with a globe and a model of the Skylab space station are, left to right, astronaut Gerald P. Carr, commander; scientist-astronaut Edward G. Gibson, science pilot; and astronaut William R. Pogue, pilot. Credit: NASA

This Month in NASA History: Skylab 4 Launches

November 5, 2020 // by Kevin Wilcox

Mission to NASA’s first space station proved human ability to live months in space.

NASA Astronaut Walter Schirra in his Mercury flight suit. Credit: NASA

This Month in NASA History: Mercury-Atlas 8 Drifts Through Space

October 6, 2020 // by Kevin Wilcox

Schirra’s “textbook mission” sets the stage for longer spaceflights to come.

Shown here in 2017, the site for what is now the Johnson Space Center was selected from a list of 23 cities in September 1961. It was chosen for its key attributes, including moderate climate, established industrial complex, and ready access to water transportation that could accommodate massive barges. Credit: United States Coast Guard

This Month in NASA History: NASA Selects Houston

September 1, 2020 // by Kevin Wilcox

The Space Task Group moves west and becomes the Manned Spacecraft Center.

The X-24B over the Mojave Desert near Edwards Air Force Base. The aircraft’s unique shape earned it the nickname “Flying Flatiron.” Credit: NASA

This Month in NASA History: “Lifting Bodies” Come to a Landing

August 4, 2020 // by Kevin Wilcox

The X-24B marks the end of a program that informed Shuttle design.

Space Shuttle Challenger, orbiting the Earth, as seen from a camera mounted on the first Shuttle Pallet Satellite. Credit: NASA

This Month in NASA History: Challenger’s Second Flight Makes History

June 5, 2020 // by Kevin Wilcox

Mission puts first American woman in space, releases and recaptures satellite.

STS-49 crew poses for group portrait. Daniel C. Brandenstein, center, is mission commander; and Kevin P. Chilton, third from right, is pilot. Mission specialists are, left to right, Kathryn C. Thornton, Bruce E. Melnick, Pierre J. Thuot, Thomas D. Akers and Richard J. Hieb. Credit: NASA

This Month in NASA History: Space Shuttle Endeavour Makes First Flight

May 6, 2020 // by Kevin Wilcox

The Shuttle performed flawlessly in a difficult mission to capture and repair satellite.

Critical Knowledge inSight: Gallaudet Eleven-The Deaf Right Stuff

April 16, 2020 // by INSIGHT Staff

NASA’s understanding of the effects of prolonged weightlessness on the human body has been greatly influenced by the Gallaudet Eleven, a group of deaf men from Gallaudet College who volunteered to be part of a research study.

Apollo 16 Commander John W. Young salutes the United States flag during the mission’s first extravehicular activity, with the Lunar Module and the Lunar Roving Vehicle in the background. Lunar Module Pilot Charles M. Duke, Jr. took the photo. Credit: NASA

This Month in NASA History: NASA’s Fifth Moon Landing

April 7, 2020 // by Kevin Wilcox

Mattingly, bumped from Apollo 13, finally orbits the Moon as Apollo nears the end.