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Space Flight
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Ansari X Prize 
 Brief history of this prize "modeled after the Orteig Prize, won by Charles Lindbergh in 1927 for being the first to fly non-stop from New York to Paris, and mirrors the hundreds of aviation incentive prizes offered early in the 20th Century." Provides links to other X prizes such as the Archon X Prize for Genomics and the Automotive X Prize. From the X Prize Foundation. http://www.xprize.org/x-prizes/ansari-x-prize Topics: Astronomy, Technology, Transportation Last updated Sep 12, 2007 Apollo 13
Information about the Apollo 13 spaceship, which was launched on April 11, 1970, and returned to earth on April 17, 1970, after a forced cancellation of its lunar mission. The site features a mission summary, details and a chronology of the Apollo 13 accident, and information about other Apollo lunar missions. Also includes links to related sites. From the National Space Science Data Center. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo13info.html Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Apr 12, 2005 Apollo 13: Lunar Surface Journal
Information about the Apollo 13 spaceship, which was launched on April 11, 1970, and returned to earth on April 17, 1970, after a forced cancellation of its lunar mission. The site features a mission overview and report (including a description of the accident), an extensive image library, information about the crew, and related documents. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/a13/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Apr 19, 2005 Apollo 40th Anniversary
Website commemorating the 40th anniversary of the NASA Apollo missions, which "started on May 25, 1961, when President John F. Kennedy announced the goal of sending astronauts to the moon before the end of the decade," and came to fruition on July 20, 1969, when "Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong stepped out of the lunar module." Features video clips and links to extensive material on Apollo. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/index.html Topics: Astronomy Last updated May 4, 2009 Apollo Lunar Surface Journal
Transcripts of the Apollo lunar missions 11-17 are presented here, with most of them separated into convenient chapters such as "landing day." There is plenty of background material on the missions and crews (including portraits and brief biographies) to help it all make sense. RealAudio clips allow users to hear some of the communications for themselves. Images, and in some cases video clips (RealPlayer), are also available here. http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/frame.html Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Technology Last updated Apr 12, 2005 The Apollo Program
A comprehensive source for details, facts, and information about all of the NASA Apollo lunar exploration missions. Learn about the many uncrewed test missions as well as the eleven crewed space flights. Special features include images of each official crew patch and audio and video clips related to specific missions. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/history/apollo/index.html Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Technology Last updated Apr 12, 2005 Apollo to the Moon
Devoted to the Apollo project and the quest to land a man on the moon. Includes articles on the space race, President Kennedy, Apollo 11 and the first lunar landing, and what came after Apollo 11; photographs and information on lunar rocks; a list of artifacts connected to the space race; and a timeline (1957 to 1975). From the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gal210/enter.html Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections, Technology Last updated Apr 12, 2005 AstroWeb: Space Agencies and Organizations
Briefly annotated links to space programs and agencies around the world. http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/astroweb/agency.html Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Feb 17, 2005 Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms
Provides images and information about historical sites related to aviation history, including locations related to the Wright brothers and other aviation pioneers, modern airports and air terminals, military air fields and hangars, and space centers and launching sites. Provides an interactive map, essays, related links, and travel information. From the National Park Service in partnership with other government agencies. http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/ Topics: Astronomy, History, National Parks & Forests, Technology, Transportation Last updated Jul 11, 2007 A Brief History of Animals in Space
This article lists highlights of the history of animals involved in space flight, mostly monkeys, mice, and dogs. Describes early attempts with animals in space flight, the first chimpanzee in space (Ham), the expansion of species in space (such as an Apollo flight that recorded spiders' attempts to spin webs in space), and other notable history. Includes links to related articles. From the NASA History Division. http://history.nasa.gov/animals.html Topics: Astronomy, Mammals Last updated Jan 21, 2008 Center for Space Science and Applied Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Background and news from this Chinese facility researching space science topics in areas such as space engineering technology, space physics, and weather exploration. Find overviews of research areas and projects, news about China's space program, such as the first successful moon photo captured by its lunar probe project (November 2007), and announcements of conferences. In Chinese and English (occasional translation errors). http://english.cssar.cas.cn/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Nov 10, 2009 Challenger Disaster 15th Anniversary [January 28, 2001]
This site, created in 2001, provides a compilation of links to material about the Challenger space shuttle mission, which exploded during takeoff on January 28, 1986. Includes links to biographies of crewmembers, the Arlington National Cemetery memorial, a mission chronology, and more. From the Daniel J. Evans Library, Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington state. http://govdocs.evergreen.edu/hotopics/challenger.html Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Dec 9, 2007 China National Space Administration
Website for this Chinese government agency overseeing national space policy and international space cooperation agreements. Provides background, news and updates, white papers, photos and video clips, and other material about China's space activities. Includes special focus areas for lunar exploration, manned spaceflight, Asia-Pacific cooperation, and space debris. In English and Chinese. Note: images in the "Express Centers" section may not display properly. http://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n615709/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Dec 6, 2007 Commercial Space Transportation
"The Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) is the only space-related line of business within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)." The site provides information about AST activities, including licensing, regulation, enforcement, and reports and studies. Also includes a launch schedule, legislation and treaties, and more. http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/ Topics: Astronomy, International Law, Treaties, & Agreements, Technology, Transportation Last updated Nov 25, 2006 Deep Space Network (DSN)
The NASA DSN "is an international network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions and radio and radar astronomy observations for the exploration of the solar system and the universe." Its site features descriptions of its science and technology, and illustrated history for this project that celebrated its 50th anniversary in February 2008 by beaming the Beatles song "Across the Universe." From the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. http://deepspace.jpl.nasa.gov/dsn/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Feb 13, 2008 ESA Science & Technology: Venus Express
Background and updates about this 2005-2006 European Space Agency (ESA) mission to Venus "to study the atmosphere, the plasma environment, and the surface of Venus in great detail." In addition to fact sheets and status reports, the site features images and video clips, a 3-D model of the Venus Express spacecraft, and a glossary. From the European Space Agency. http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=64 Topics: Astronomy Last updated Apr 11, 2006 ESA: European Space Agency
Made up of 15 nations and headquartered in Paris, ESA seeks to "shape the development of Europe's space capability." The site includes information about ESA and its programs, news, press releases, news from member countries, and multimedia galleries with audio, video, and photographs. Also features the home page for the Mars Express project. Searchable. Available in multiple languages. http://www.esa.int/ Topics: Astronomy, Regions of the World Last updated Nov 21, 2006 FloridaToday.com: Space
News about the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral, including industry news releases, NASA status reports, worker newsletters, schedule for space shuttle and rocket launches, economic forecast, business reports, multimedia gallery, and the blog The Flame Trench. From the newspaper Florida Today. http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=news02 Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Mar 23, 2008 Genesis: Search for Origins
Background information about the NASA mission to collect "samples of the solar wind, material flowing outward from the Sun. Comparing them with known compositions of the planets will help in the effort to understand our cosmic origins." Features images, video clips, classroom activities, and fact sheets. Includes news about the sample return capsule, which crashed to Earth before its expected return in September 2004. http://www.genesismission.org Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Sep 8, 2004 Human Physiology in Space
Information on the complex subject of the how the human body reacts in space. This site describes how radiation and the lack of gravity affect human physiology, including the cardiovascular system, blood, fluid regulation, and the muscular, skeletal, sensory, and balance systems. For general science students. Based on the high school textbook of the same name, by Barbara F. Lujan and Ronald J. White. http://www.nsbri.org/HumanPhysSpace/ Topics: Astronomy, Health & Medical Disciplines, Technology Last updated May 7, 2002 Jet Propulsion Laboratory
"The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the lead U.S. center for robotic exploration of the solar system." In addition to informative papers, this site includes news releases about scientific and educational programs, fact sheets about programs in the Earth sciences, and archives. Other sections cover such topics as astrophysics; cosmogony; past, present, and future missions; and technology. Browse via the site map. Searchable. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Technology Last updated May 17, 2002 Kennedy Space Center
Tour NASA's Florida base and site of all Space Shuttle launches. You will find information on viewing launches; Space Shuttle Information , including photos and video; a Newsroom , with press releases and status reports; Payload Information ; Benefits and Business Opportunities ; ELV/RLV (expendable launch vehicles), also known as rockets; Additional Information , which includes a phone directory and links to online KSC organizations, contractors and employee groups; and a Space Flight Archive , with links to NASA space flight projects. There is also an extensive directory of external links to other space-related sites. http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Jan 2, 2001 Mars Pathfinder
All about NASA's successful mission to place a vehicle and instruments on the surface of Mars on July 4, 1997. Information on the 310-million-mile flight includes scientific instruments, images of the Red Planet, a FAQ, timeline, educational programs. From the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated May 4, 2004 Messenger: Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging
Information about the "NASA Discovery mission to conduct this orbital study of the innermost planet." Messenger launched in August 2004. It should be "in position to enter Mercury orbit in March 2011." The site provides a FAQ, an overview of the mission, status reports, facts about the planet Mercury, information for students and teachers, related links, and more. From John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). http://messenger.jhuapl.edu Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Technology Last updated Apr 27, 2005 Mission and Spacecraft Library (MSL)
This site from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) contains "basic information about all 5000+ orbital spacecraft launches and launch attempts since the beginning of the Space Age." Search the "Launch Facts" database by spacecraft name, launch site, launch year, orbit class, organization, mission type, or launch vehicle. Browse by spacecraft name, program name, or mission type. Includes a glossary. http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Jul 30, 2003 NASA Human SpaceFlight
Includes a history of human space flight, photographs, "Behind the Scenes," news on the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, and more. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated May 22, 2005 NASA Mission Information: STS-117
Details about the NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis mission, launched in June 2007, to the International Space Station that will "will install a new truss segment, unfurl new solar arrays and fold up an old one -- all tricky stuff that's been done on the past two missions." Features overview of the mission, press releases, images, biographies and interviews with the crew, and other material about the mission. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts117/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Jun 11, 2007 NASA: AIM Mission
Background about the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite that "captured the first occurrence this summer [2007] of mysterious iridescent polar clouds that form 50 miles above Earth's surface." These clouds "are called Polar Mesospheric Clouds, or PMCs, when they are viewed from space and referred to as 'night-shining' clouds or Noctilucent Clouds, when viewed by observers on Earth." Includes images and mission news. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/aim/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Sep 8, 2008 NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The main site for NASA is the entryway to a huge amount of information in various formats, with sections for children, students, educators, the media, missions, news, and more. http://www.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated May 4, 2005 NASA's 50th Anniversary
This website celebrates the 50th anniversary in 2008 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which began operation in October 1958. Provides a history of this government agency, a calendar of anniversary events through October 2008, photos, press releases, publications, and links to popular NASA websites. From NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/50th/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Jan 2, 2008 NASA's History Office
A rich site detailing the history and accomplishments of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as well as information on current and planned projects. Also includes general history of aeronautics and astronautics and provides links to other sites with an emphasis on the history of space flight and exploration. http://history.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology, Transportation Last updated Jan 27, 2001 National Space Science Data Center
Access to a wide variety of data from NASA space flight missions for astrophysics, space and solar physics, and lunar and earth sciences. The Photo Gallery has pictures of planets, stars, and spacecraft and the Image Catalog those of planets and comets. The General Public Page leads to a chronology of lunar and planetary exploration and fact sheets on each planet. The Space Science Education Page has lessons, online activities, and resources for educators. Searchable. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections, Technology Last updated Aug 19, 2002 New Horizons: NASA's Pluto-Kuiper Belt Mission
The NASA New Horizons mission, scheduled to be launched in early 2006 and to reach Pluto in 2015, "is the first mission to the last planet -- the initial reconnaissance of Pluto-Charon and the Kuiper Belt." Find a mission overview, a FAQ, and facts about mission spacecraft and science. The section "P-K Bits" includes amusing facts. From the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL). http://pluto.jhuapl.edu Topics: Astronomy Last updated Jan 18, 2006 The New Millennium Program
NASA has created the NMP to "develop revolutionary technical advances and space flight concepts" and test new and upcoming technologies and equipment on future space agency missions. Included is an overview of the program, a look at current and upcoming deep space missions, the technology involved, educational information for incorporation into the classroom, and more. http://nmp.jpl.nasa.gov/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Aug 31, 2000 Phoenix Mars Mission
Background and updates about this NASA Mars mission "designed to study the history of water and habitability potential in the Martian arctic's ice-rich soil." Features press releases, images, background about the mission (which launched in August 2007 and landed on Mars in late May 2008), blogs, podcasts, a section for children, and more. From the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Jun 9, 2008 The Planetary Society: Cosmos 1: The First Solar Sail
Details about the June 2005 mission of the Cosmos 1 solar sail spacecraft, which is "a spacecraft without an engine — it is pushed along directly by light particles from the Sun, reflecting off giant mirror-like sails." Feature background information about this Russian-built spacecraft, images and animations, instructions for building a scale model of the craft, a blog, and other information related to the privately funded Cosmos 1 mission. From The Planetary Society. http://www.planetary.org/programs/projects/solar_sailing/ Topics: Astronomy, Blogs & Podcasts by Subject, Hobbies, Technology Last updated Nov 6, 2005 Project Galileo: Journey to Jupiter
Launched in 1985, the Galileo spacecraft began orbiting Jupiter in 1995. This site provides updates, links, and information related to the mission, which is slated to end in August, 2003. There are images of the planet, four of its moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto), and its rings and small satellites. Images of Earth and its moon, Venus, some asteroids, and the Shoemaker-Levy Comet taken on route are also included. There is also a brief history of previous explorations of the planet. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/galileo/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Oct 19, 2005 Return to Flight
Information about the "Return to Flight mission ... the 114th Space Shuttle flight, and the 31st flight of Discovery," which is due to launch in spring 2005. Includes a mission overview, crew interviews, an image and video gallery, information about the space shuttle system (rocket booster, external tanks, and orbiter), launch and landing information, feature articles, and more. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Apr 27, 2005 Rocket & Space Technology
This site explains the mechanics of rocket flight. Features a tutorial "designed to teach the basic science behind rocketry and space flight," which includes sample math problems, formulas, and diagrams. Covers various spacecraft systems and lists all of the space missions (including crew, launch and return dates). Intended for high school teachers and students. Contains a glossary, a discussion forum, and related links. http://www.braeunig.us/space/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Apr 28, 2005 Russia Cosmodrome 50 Years Old
News story about "Russia's main space centre, the Baikonur Cosmodrome, [which] celebrates its 50th anniversary" in June 2005. Features a video on the Baikonur, which is "the world's oldest space-launching facility." Includes links to related news stories. From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4602083.stm Topics: Astronomy, Holidays and Observances Individually, Technology Last updated Jun 8, 2005 Space Policy Project
"The Space Policy Project promotes American national security and international stability by providing the public and decision-makers with information and analysis on civil and military space issues, policies and programs." Subjects include Russian Aerospace, Challenger Accident, Life on Mars, and Advanced Aircraft. Each subject is exhaustively researched, and often provides annotated links to other Web resources. In addition space weapons are monitored, as are military and civil uses of space, and a country guide to space exploration and use. Searchable. From the Federation of American Scientists. http://www.fas.org/spp/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology, Weapons Last updated Aug 12, 2000 Space Program Newspaper Archive
A searchable archive of thousands of newspaper articles about rockets, satellites, space flights, astronauts and cosmonauts, space walks, and related matters. Also include a timeline (back to 1930), a brief history of man's attempts to reach outer space, and links to related sites. Access to some articles requires a fee. http://www.spaceprogramarchive.com/Home.aspx Topics: Astronomy Last updated Jul 29, 2008 Space Shuttle: Shuttle Mission: STS-121
Background and updates about this space shuttle mission that launched on July 4, 2006 with a primary purpose of testing shuttle safety improvements "to build on the findings from Discovery's flight last year." Includes fact sheets, status reports, photos, video clips, and other material on the shuttle and the mission. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts121/ Topics: Astronomy Last updated Jul 11, 2006 Space Station Assembly: Elements: Zarya Control Module, Baikonur Cosmodrome
Background information about the Russian "launch complex where Sputnik 1, Earth's first artificial satellite, was launched. The rocket that lifted Yuri Gagarin, the first human in orbit, was also launched from Baikonur." Includes a photo and map of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in June 2005. From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/assembly/elements/fgb/baikonur.html Topics: Astronomy, Holidays and Observances Individually, Photograph Collections, Technology Last updated Jun 8, 2005 Space Surveillance
Overview of the space surveillance system of the U.S. military, which "involves detecting, tracking, cataloging and identifying man-made objects orbiting Earth, i.e. active/inactive satellites, spent rocket bodies, or fragmentation debris." Briefly describes the Space Surveillance Network of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force; the Space Control Center; and the number and size of space debris being tracked. From Air University, an education and training center for the U.S. Air Force. http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/usspc-fs/space.htm Topics: Astronomy Last updated Mar 12, 2009 Spaceflight Now
This space news site reports on breaking news (e.g. the Columbia flight STS-107 tragedy), current and future shuttle missions, and launch schedules, plus related space activities, archived news, and current video clips. Don't miss the spectacular photo gallery at Features which looks back on 100 dramatic shuttle launches. http://spaceflightnow.com/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Feb 4, 2003 Stardust: NASA's Comet Sample Return Mission
Extensive information about Stardust, "the first U.S. space mission dedicated solely to the exploration of a comet, and the first robotic mission designed to return extraterrestrial material from outside the orbit of the Moon." Features background and educational material, news about the return capsule (which landed in Utah in January 2006), photos and drawings, animations and videos, interviews, and related information. From the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov Topics: Astronomy Last updated Jan 18, 2006 Tier One: Private Manned Space Program
"Explore this website to learn about the Tier One Project, the world's first privately funded manned space program, including SpaceShipOne and carrier aircraft White Knight." Features information about the June 21, 2004, inaugural flight, a FAQ, photos, test logs, pilot biographies, and more. http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/ Topics: Astronomy, Notable People, Photograph Collections, Technology Last updated Oct 4, 2004 Timeline: Women in Space
"Hundreds of humans have flown in space. Only 40 women have made the journey -- including Eileen M. Collins, who commands the Space Shuttle Discovery on NASA's historic return to flight" in 2005. This timeline features photos and brief information about some of these women, including Valentina Tereshkova (the first woman in space), Sally Ride (first U.S. woman astronaut), and Kathryn Sullivan (first American woman to perform a spacewalk). From National Public Radio (NPR). http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4770249 Topics: Astronomy, Photograph Collections, Technology Last updated Jul 27, 2005 Voyager: The Interstellar Mission
Background about the Voyager 1 and 2 space missions (launched in 1977), which have explored Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Features images, a brief timeline, and material about the spacecraft, the missions, and the planets. Also includes press releases, fact sheets, and related publications. From the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov Topics: Astronomy Last updated Sep 11, 2006 |
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