Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
This brings us to Project Gemini. Gemini started after Apollo had begun, in part to answer a crucial question for Apollo. Was rendezvous and docking in orbit a feasible basis for a manned lunar landing mission?
One Man Space Station
Rendezvous Concepts
Mark II Spacecraft
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
“We have been plunged into a race for the conquest of outer space. As a reason for this undertaking some look to the new and exciting scientific discoveries which are certain to be made. Others feel the challenge to transport man beyond frontiers he scarcely dared dream about until now. But at present the most impelling reason for our effort has been the international political situation which demands that we demonstrate our technological capabilities if we are to maintain our position of leadership. For all of these reasons we have embarked on a complex and costly adventure. It is the purpose of this report to clarify the goals, the missions and the costs of this effort in the foreseeable future, particularly with regard to the man-in-space program.” From 1960 Ad Hoc Panel on Man-In-Space.
JFK at NASA Houston
JFK Rice University
JFK Congress Address
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
Over 52 years ago, in the early hours of May 5th, 1961 the US prepared to launch its first man into space. Three weeks earlier, the Soviet Union had sent Yuri Gagarin on an orbital mission. This was a suborbital mission planed to last only 15 minutes. For the moment that did not matter, the entire nation held its breath while Alan Shepard became America’s first man in space.
Medical Telemetry
Shepard Suiting Up
Climbing In
Personal Problem
Launch
45 Million Viewers
Control Panel
Console Panel
Navigation Aids
Flight Plan
In Flight
On the Carrier
Huntsville
Shepard & Kennedy
Medal Ceremony
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS
In late March, 1958, President Eisenhower publicly announced the United States’ intention to launch a spacecraft to the Moon. He assured the nation that this was not science fiction. It was an achievable goal presented by leading scientists. The announcement came less than 2 months after the first US satellite had reached orbit. The President was committing the nation to a space race to the moon with the Soviets. If all went well the country would have a spacecraft in orbit around the moon before the summer was over.
Vanguard 1 Satellite
Vanguard 1
Pioneer 1 on the Launch Pad
Pioneers 0-2 Satellite Replica
Pioneer 3
