BIRTH IN THE SPACE AGE

NASA’s transformation from an underdog to a world leader.

NASA is today the United States’ definitive space agency. NASA was not around in the past. Instead, several branches of the military were researching space exploration topics like jet propulsion and satellites.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, the President of the United States, approved plans to launch the first scientific satellite into orbit in the 1940s. This was to be the country’s contribution at the International Geophysical Year which ran from July 1957 to December 1959. The international scientific project was established to investigate 11 scientific areas, including gravity, meteorology and solar activity, and collect data about Earth. The Soviet Union also announced its intention to launch a satellite shortly after America made their announcement. The Soviets outlasted the Americans.

BEGINNINGS TO THE SPACE RACE

Sputnik I launched on October 4, 1957. It was the first artificial satellite in the world and kicked off the Space Race. Soon after, Sputnik II was launched with a dog named Laika aboard.

The United States was no longer in the forefront of technology and launched their own satellite. The first American satellite to be launched was Vanguard in December. However, it exploded soon after launch. Explorer I was the first U.S. satellite to successfully orbit Earth. It took place on January 31, 1958.

The Committee on Space and Astronautics was established by Congress in February 1958 to prioritize legislation for establishing a national program. President Eisenhower signed into law the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 29, 1958. Two months later, NASA officially opened its doors.

NASA now includes the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (which was formed in 1915), and three major research labs: Langley Aeronautical Laboratory and Ames Aeronautical Laboratory. The Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory (now called the Glenn Research Center) is also included. NASA also incorporated the programs of different military branches, including the Army Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Naval Research Laboratory and Army Ballistic Missile Agency.

NASA began human space flight programs in 1958 with Project Mercury, shortly after its founding. Six crewed missions were launched as part of the project to prove human spaceflight possible. Alan Shepard was the first American to go into space on May 5, 1961. However, the Soviets had already beaten the U.S. once more, with Yuri Gagarin orbiting Earth orbit a month prior. On May 25, President John F. Kennedy announced that the U.S. would land an astronaut safely on the Moon by the end of the decade.

TO MOON AND BEYOND

NASA launched Project Gemini to address this technological challenge. Project Gemini was designed to improve reentry and landing techniques and to better understand the effects of long-term space flight on astronauts. This project was in preparation for the Apollo missions. NASA was confident that astronaut Ed White, an American astronaut, would be the first to successfully conduct a spacewalk.

Apollo 7 was the first Apollo space mission, and Apollo 8 was the first to orbit Earth. Apollo 11 finally reached the Moon on July 20, 1969. It carried the first human to another planet. Buzz aldrin and Neil Armstrong explored the Mare Tranquillitatis area, or the Sea of Tranquility, for more than two hours. They collected rock samples and planted an American flag. A plaque stating “We came to peace for all mankind” was also left behind.

NASA continues to push the boundaries of human space exploration, even though it has been decades since its inception. NASA’s current goals are to land the first woman on Mars by 2024 using the Artemis program, followed by the first crewed Mars mission. The ultimate goal is to reach deep space.