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Space Flight & Stations
 Websites presented in alphabetical order Aerospaceweb.org 
 Engineers employed within the aerospace industry formed this site to "provide information regarding a wide range of aerospace-related fields, including aircraft design, spacecraft design, aerodynamics, and aerospace history." Features pictures and data on international aircraft, and an "Ask a Rocket Scientist" section for questions about aviation and aerospace. http://www.aerospaceweb.org/ Topics: Science, Technology, Transportation Last updated Mar 10, 2004 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 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 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 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 ESA: Science & Technology: Rosetta
The purpose of the European Space Agency (ESA) Rosetta Orbiter is "to study the origin of comets, the relationship between cometary and interstellar material and its implications with regard to the origin of the Solar System." The site provides a description of the orbiter, an overview of its flight (including "its first Earth swing-by" on March 4, 2005), news, summaries of related publications (with some links to full text), images, and a glossary. http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=13 Topics: Astronomy, Geography, Technology Last updated Mar 15, 2005 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 How Space Shuttles Work
This site examines the complexity of space shuttles, including their parts, design, and various systems. It covers information on shuttle history and future, space environment and life support, getting into orbit, re-entry and landing, and many related resources such as the International Space Station, educational activities, NASA, and more. http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-shuttle.htm Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Feb 4, 2003 How Space Tourism Works
This site introduces the space tourism industry, citing its first tourist adventurers, along with the training and costs involved. It includes summaries of several commercial space travel projects and ideas, including space stations for corporate communities and a national contest to develop reusable launch vehicles for transporting the public into space. From How Stuff Works. http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-tourism.htm Topics: Technology Last updated Mar 25, 2007 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 Lost: Space Shuttle Columbia
A special report from CNN on the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and its seven crew members on February 1, 2003. Includes information on the shuttle's past launches and milestones, the final contact and communication moments with mission control, the resulting investigation, and a discussion of the final report, faulting NASA for its "culture." Also find crew information, photo galleries, and audio and video clips. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/shuttle/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Aug 27, 2003 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 Space Shuttle Launches
Details on the space shuttle missions, from STS-1 in 1981 through current missions. Includes the missions to Space Station Mir. http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/missions.html Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Feb 1, 2003 NASA: Spinoff
"Spinoff is NASA's annual premier publication featuring successfully commercialized NASA technology." Includes a database with abstracts of articles back to 1976 and links to full text. Items discussed include polymer fabric to protect firefighters, lithium battery power for electric vehicles, and space age swimsuits (as used in the 2008 Olympics). From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Aug 10, 2009 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 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 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 Out of This World Thanksgiving
This essay describes the Thanksgiving experience in space, which usually includes rehydrated turkey and mashed potatoes. Includes historical highlights of Thanksgiving in space, images of the Thanksgiving meal, and a link to more information about space food. From NASA. http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/livinginspace/Space_Thanksgiving.html Topics: Astronomy, Holiday Foods, Beverages, and Recipes, Holidays and Observances Individually, Technology Last updated Oct 27, 2004 Pictures, Israel, Events: Space Flight
A directory of links related to Colonel Ilan Ramon, an Israeli astronaut, who died when the Columbia Space Shuttle crashed on February 1, 2003. Includes links to official biographies, news articles, speculation about when Sabbath starts in space, and an essay about Col. Ramon's mother, a Holocaust survivor. http://www.jr.co.il/pictures/israel/history/space.htm Topics: Astronomy, International Governments, Technology Last updated Feb 12, 2003 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 Shuttle Online Press Kit
"NASA, United Space Alliance and The Boeing Company have joined forces to compile and present the definitive source for Shuttle mission information." The site features downloadable press kits for dozens of flights, with information about the crews, mission objectives, spacewalks, experiments, photographs and diagrams, and more. Note: Search not working. http://www.shuttlepresskit.com/index.html Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Jul 30, 2006 Shuttles Are the Work Horses from Outer Space
This collection of information and links captures the essence of a space shuttle's work responsibilities, stories and histories, and past, current, and future ventures, plus the background and components of the U.S. shuttles Atlantis , Columbia , Discovery , Endeavour , and Challenger . Additionally, it includes a video of the space shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986 and more. From Space Today Online . http://www.spacetoday.org/SpaceShuttles.html Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Feb 5, 2003 Skylab
Information about the four Skylab space missions in 1973 and 1974, which had the goals of proving "that humans could live and work in space for extended periods, and ... expand[ing] our knowledge of solar astronomy well beyond Earth-based observations." The Skylab station fell to earth on July 11, 1979. Includes flight and operations summaries, statistics, and links to related images and information. From NASA and the Kennedy Space Center. http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/history/skylab/skylab.htm Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Jul 19, 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 Shuttle Columbia and Her Crew
A site dedicated to the space shuttle Columbia, destroyed by mechanical failure on its descent over north central Texas on Feb. 1, 2003. Includes images and brief biographies of the seven lost crewmembers, highlights from Columbia's history, mission overview, memorials, and the final report of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB), released in August, 2003. From NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Dec 18, 2005 Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster Coverage: Resources, Story Ideas and More
The site is designed for news reporters and editors, and contains up-to-the-minute coverage of the space shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003. Includes links to various news agencies' coverage, local authorities, information on the crew members, graphics, radar images, historical information, and a list of science experiments conducted during the flight, as well as the Rogers Commission report on the Challenger explosion in 1986. This site is an invaluable resource for journalists and laypeople alike. http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=19160 Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Aug 28, 2003 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 Station: A Rare Inside View of the Next Frontier in Space Exploration
This companion site for a PBS television documentary that first aired in 2000 "follows engineers, scientists, managers and astronauts from sixteen nations, led by NASA, as they navigate the financial, technical and political challenges of creating the International Space Station" beginning with the station's origins in the cold war Reagan era. Includes fact sheets and related links. http://www.pbs.org/spacestation/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Jul 7, 2004 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 STS-107 Investigation Reference Page
Documents and images related to the accident investigation of the space shuttle Columbia's flight STS-107. Offers photos of debris, diagrams of recovered components, and other shuttle and accident imagery. Documents include mishap response status reports, press releases, public meeting and press briefing transcripts, e-mail exchanges, and investigation updates. An acronym list is included for interpretation of timelines and technical reports. From NASA Human Spaceflight. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/archives/sts-107/investigation/ Topics: Astronomy, Technology Last updated Apr 22, 2007 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 The Ultimate One-Way Ticket
This 2006 article discusses "a handful of growing businesses hoping to give a space experience to the common folk." It profiles companies that provide the opportunity to send small portions of cremated ashes into space, offer space tourism, launch hair samples or fingernail clippings as part of a "DNA kit" package, and more. Includes links to the business websites. From Wired Magazine. http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/02/70252 Topics: Technology Last updated Mar 30, 2007 Yeats: An Irish Airman Foresees His Death
This poem, written for wartime, describes the "lonely impulse of delight" shared by pilots, astronauts, and aviation workers everywhere. From Bartleby.com. http://www.bartleby.com/148/3.html Topics: Astronomy, Poetry, Technology Last updated Feb 6, 2003 |
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