Space Race Links
https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/what-was-space-race Aug 23, 2023 "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project...will be more exciting, or more impressive to mankind, or more important...and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish...." —President John F. Kennedy, 1961 In 1961, President John Kennedy called on the nation to send a man to the Moon. In 1969, the United States did just that. Today, many are familiar with the story of Neil Armstrong’s first few steps on the Moon (cue the “That’s one small step...” quote), but have you ever questioned why we invested so much time, effort, and national attention in getting there?" Smithsonian
The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum maintains the world's largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts, encompassing all aspects of human flight, as well as related works of art and archival materials. It operates two landmark facilities that, together, welcome more than eight million visitors a year, making it the most visited museum in the country. It also is home to the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies.
The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. We are a community of learning and an opener of doors. Join us on a voyage of discovery. Explore our vast digital resources and learn online.
https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/space-program Apr 9, 2024 "In 1961, President John F. Kennedy began a dramatic expansion of the U.S. space program and committed the nation to the ambitious goal of landing a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. JFKWHP-KN-C30160. Presentation Ceremony of the Robert J. Collier Trophy to Mercury Seven Astronauts, 10 October 1963 In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik, and the space race was on. The Soviets' triumph jarred the American people and sparked a vigorous response in the federal government to make sure the United States did not fall behind its Communist rival." John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
https://www.space.com/17547-jfk-moon-speech-50years-anniversary.html Sep 12, 2012 "Fifty years ago today (Sept. 12), President John F. Kennedy whipped up support for NASA's fledgling Apollo program in a speech that contains perhaps the most famous words he ever uttered about space exploration. Kennedy's stirring, soaring "moon speech," delivered at Rice University in Houston, laid out why the president believed sending astronauts to Earth's nearest neighbor by the end of the 1960s was so important." Space.com
https://spacecenter.org/this-day-in-history-jfk-delivers-iconic-we-choose-to-go-to-the-moon-speech Sep 9, 2019 ‘We choose to go to the Moon’ speech "On Sept. 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy declared that by the end of the decade, the United States would land astronauts on the Moon. It was 57 years ago today when Kennedy stood in front of a crowd of roughly 35,000 at Rice University and delivered his historic speech. The space race had become heated between the Soviets and the United States. Just six weeks prior to the speech, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first person in space. The pressure was on America to send astronauts into the final frontier." Space Center Houston
https://science.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-kids-and-students/what-is-nasa Jan 23, 2008 "NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA is a United States government agency that is responsible for science and technology related to air and space. The Space Age started in 1957 with the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik. NASA was created in 1958. The agency was created to oversee U.S. space exploration and aeronautics research. The administrator is in charge of NASA. The NASA administrator is nominated by the president and confirmed by a vote in the Senate." NASA
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/statements-on-passing-of-michael-collins Apr 28, 2021 "The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk on the passing of Michael Collins: 'Today the nation lost a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration in astronaut Michael Collins. As pilot of the Apollo 11 command module – some called him ‘the loneliest man in history’ – while his colleagues walked on the Moon for the first time, he helped our nation achieve a defining milestone. He also distinguished himself in the Gemini Program and as an Air Force pilot." NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6VpHyKXHBM Jul 18, 2019 50 years ago, NASA’s Apollo 11 mission changed our world and ideas of what is possible by successfully landing humans on the surface of the moon—and bringing them home safely—for the first time in history. Today’s video Doodle celebrates this moment of human achievement by taking us through the journey to the moon and back, narrated by someone with firsthand knowledge of the epic event: former astronaut and Apollo 11 command module pilot Michael Collins. GoogleDoodles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKTZouDScj4 Jul 18, 2019 50 years ago, NASA’s Apollo 11 mission changed our world and ideas of what is possible by successfully landing humans on the surface of the moon—and bringing them home safely—for the first time in history. Today’s video Doodle celebrates this moment of human achievement by taking us through the journey to the moon and back, narrated by someone with firsthand knowledge of the epic event: former astronaut and Apollo 11 command module pilot Michael Collins. GoogleDoodles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5TDbrsq5jI Jan 6, 2010 "On July 20, 1969, Buzz and Neil Armstrong made their historic Apollo 11 moonwalk, becoming the first two humans to set foot on another world. An estimated 600 million people – at that time, the world’s largest television audience in history – witnessed this unprecedented heroic endeavor." https://buzzaldrin.com Astronaut | Explorer | Rocket Scientist | American Hero therealBuzzAldrin
Space Race Video Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeA7edXsU40 Nov 16, 2018 We’ve taken giant leaps and left our mark in the heavens. Now we’re building the next chapter, returning to the Moon to stay, and preparing to go beyond. We are NASA – and after 60 years, we’re just getting started. Special thanks to Mike Rowe for the voiceover work. This video is available for download from NASA's Image and Video Library: https://images.nasa.gov/details-NHQ_2019_0508_We%20Are%20NASA.html NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNpAxzg_v9E Feb 25, 2022 NASA's new Moon rocket, the Space Launch System, was fully stacked along with the Orion Spacecraft inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. This rocket will be used for the Artemis I mission, which is an uncrewed flight test around of the Moon of SLS and Orion currently scheduled to launch spring 2022. NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3gt0mGwke8 Jun 30, 2022 Twin solid rocket boosters that will produce a combined 7.2 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, a towering core stage, and the only human-rated spacecraft in the world capable of deep space travel – together, NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft stand ready to usher in a new chapter of exploration. Now fully assembled at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, SLS and Orion will soon launch on the uncrewed Artemis I mission around the Moon, paving the way for astronauts. Artemis I represents a new generation of spaceflight capabilities and partnerships that will take humans back to the Moon and beyond. Producer: Lisa Allen, Alysia Lee Writer & Director: Paul Wizikowski Learn more: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-i NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKwoBudYIiI Aug 24, 2022 The journey of half a million miles – the first flight of the Artemis Generation – is about to begin. The uncrewed Artemis I mission will jump-start humanity’s return to the Moon with the thunderous liftoff of NASA’s powerful new Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. This critical flight test will send Orion farther than any human-rated spacecraft has ever flown, putting new systems and processes to the test and lighting the way for the crew missions to come. Artemis I is ready for departure – and, together with our partners around the world, we are ready to return to the Moon, with our sights on Mars and beyond. Learn more: nasa.gov/specials/artemis-i Producer: Lisa Allen, Barbara Zelon, Alysia Lee Writer & Director: Paul Wizikowski NASA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nH5vEoFRcs Mar 10, 2022 NASA is kicking off a new lunar space race and Astrolab’s Flex aims to be the winner. The rover can be operated from Earth, allowing lunar base building before humans ever get there, and is built to last up to 10 years on the moon’s surface. NBC News’ Gadi Schwartz has an exclusive look. NBC News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDJOJ7Uhh4w Aug 17, 2022 Artemis I, the most powerful rocket ever, will launch a critical uncrewed test flight on August 29 for a 42-day mission orbiting the moon. If the flight goes well, humans could orbit the moon within two years. NBC News’ Tom Costello reports from NASA’s training pool in Houston where engineers and astronauts are already testing new space suit designs for future moon walks. NBC News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MJY_ptQW1o Apr 8, 2024 Watch live with us as a total solar eclipse moves across North America on April 8, 2024, traveling through Mexico, across the United States from Texas to Maine, and out across Canada’s Atlantic coast. A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. From 1 to 4 p.m. EDT (1700 to 2000 UTC) on April 8, we’ll share conversations with experts and provide telescope views of the eclipse from several sites along the eclipse path. Throughout the broadcast, send us your questions in the chat using #askNASA for a chance to have them answered live. WARNING: Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Indirect viewing methods, such as pinhole projectors, can also be used to experience an eclipse. For more on how to safely view this eclipse: https://go.nasa.gov/Eclipse2024Safety Review our eclipse safety guidelines: https://go.nasa.gov/Eclipse2024Safety Learn more about the total solar eclipse: https://go.nasa.gov/Eclipse2024 Track the eclipse path: https://go.nasa.gov/eclipseexplorer NASA