-
1930: Pluto Discovered, Controversy Ensues
On this date in 1930, the dwarf planet Pluto was discovered. Here are some things you may not have known about what was once considered the ninth planet in the solar system. Although it wasn’t discovered until 1930, astronomers had predicted in the late 19th century that something besides the newly discovered Neptune was disturbing…
-
Bonus Episode: Apollo 1 Disaster, 50 Years Ago
On this date in 1967, three American astronauts died in a training accident on the launch pad in Florida. Here are some things you may not have known about Apollo 1. Following the successes of the Mercury and Gemini programs, the next step in landing a man on the moon was the three-man Apollo program.…
-
The Last Man on the Moon — So Far
On this date in 1972, Eugene Cernan became the last man to walk on the moon. Here are some things you may not have known about Apollo 17. Apollo 17 was the first mission to be commanded by someone who was not a test pilot. Gene Cernan was a fighter pilot in the navy, and…
-
John Glenn: First American in Orbit
On Thursday, John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth and a longtime senator from Ohio died at the age of 95. Here are a few things you may not have known about him. John Glenn was born on July 18, 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio, in the southeastern part of the state. In 1941,…
-
Skylab: America’s First Space Station
On this date in 1973, the third and final crew of the U.S. space station Skylab launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Here are a few things you may not have known about Skylab and other space stations. Skylab was the first American space station. The station itself was launched during an unmanned…
-
NASA Inventions: From Space to You
On this date in 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Space and Aeronautics Act, which authorized the formation of NASA. Here are a few technologies that you may not have known were created or developed for the American space program. Grooved pavement was developed to increase runway safety in the rain. The technology has…
-
Challenger Disaster: Seven Astronauts Lost on Launch
Thirty years ago today, the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after liftoff, killing the seven crewmembers aboard. Here are some things you may not have known about the disaster. The mission was originally scheduled to launch on January 22, but was delayed by the previous space shuttle mission which landed on January 18. Weather delays…
-
Apollo 1: The Space Race Reality Check
On this date in 1967, three American astronauts died in a training accident on the launch pad in Florida. Here are some things you may not have known about Apollo 1. Following the successes of the Mercury and Gemini programs, the next step in landing a man on the moon was the three-man Apollo program.…