History of Space Exploration in the United States

1. History of Space Explorationin the United States Modified from STEMSCOPES resource J. Pantel

2. Dr. Robert Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 Dr. Robert Goddard is known as the father of modern rocketry because of his use of liquid fuel in rocket engines. His rocket was fueled with gasoline and liquid oxygen. The rocket rose to a height of 41 feet. This launch was very important to the study of rocketry because it showed that the use of liquid fuel was possible.

3. Dr. Robert Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 Student Journal Entry Main goal or purpose: Show that using liquid fuel in rockets is possible Important people associated with mission: Dr. Robert Goddard Technology or equipment used: Liquid fueled rocket that used liquid gasoline and liquid oxygen Manned or unmanned mission? Unmanned Date (s) mission occurred: March 15, 1926 

4. Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012

5. Explorer IJanuary 31, 1958 Explorer 1 was America’s first satellite. It was launched after the Russian satellites Sputnik 1 and 2 and started the Cold War Space Race. Explorer was a scientific satellite and was the first to detect the Van Allen radiation belts. The rocket that launched the satellite was a Jupiter C that was developed by Dr. Wernher von Braun, and the onboard scientific experiment was designed by Dr. James Van Allen. Explorer 1 was able to transmit information for four months until its batteries ran out. Explorer 1 was the first in over 50 Explorer satellites.

6. Explorer I Main goal or purpose: Launch America’s first satellite, perform scientific study, find the Van Allen Belts. Important people associated: Dr. Wernher von Brauun: developer of Jupiter C rocket; Dr. James Van Allen: designer of the scientific payload Technology or equipment used: Satellite with scientific equipment Manned or unmanned mission? Unmanned Date(s) mission occurred: January 31, 1958 

7. Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012 Explorer I Jan 31, 1958

8. Project Mercury1959-1963 Project Mercury was America’s first manned space program. It had three main goals: to orbit a manned spacecraft around Earth; to see if humans could function in space; and to return the astronaut and spacecraft safely to Earth. It was during Project Mercury that the first astronaut class was chosen. Known as the Mercury 7, NASA choose seven astronauts from a group of 110 military pilots. There were 20 unmanned flights that were used to test and develop different parts of the launch vehicles and computer systems. There were six manned flights during the Mercury program. The Mercury capsule was designed to hold one astronaut. It was a very tight fit for the astronaut, as noted by the astronaut John Glenn. Glenn stated, “You don’t climb into the Mercury spacecraft, you put it on.”

9. Project Mercury1959-1963 On May 5, 1961, America’s first astronaut in space was Alan Shepard, Jr. His trip to space lasted a total of 15 min and 28 sec. The Russians had sent the first man to space, Yuri Gagarian, one month earlier than the United States. There were five additional missions after Alan Shepard including John Glenn’s first flight that orbited Earth on February 20, 1962. Project Mercury was considered successful and laid the groundwork for the Gemini and Apollo programs. programs.

10. Project Mercury Mission name: Mercury Main goal or purpose: Orbit man around Earth, discover whether humans function in space, return spacecraft and human to Earth safely Important people associated with mission: Alan Shepard Jr.: first American in Space, John Glen: first American to orbit Earth Technology or equipment used: Capsule that could hold one human Manned or unmanned mission? Manned Date(s) mission occurred: 1959-1963, first American in Space: May 5, 1961; first orbital flight: February 20, 1962 

11. Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 Project Mercury 1959-1963 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012 Explorer I Jan 31, 1958

12. America’s first astronaut in space was Alan Shepard, Jr May 5, 1961 Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 Project Mercury 1959-1963 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012 Explorer I Jan 31, 1958

13. Project Gemini1962-1966 Project Gemini was the second U.S. manned program. It got its name due to the fact that this capsule could hold two astronauts, unlike the Mercury missions that could hold one. Both Mercury and Gemini were designed to prepare NASA and astronauts for a mission to the Moon with the Apollo program. The three main goals of Gemini were to test the human body and equipment for up to two weeks in space, to rendezvous and dock with orbiting vehicles, and to improve methods of launch, reentry, and landing at a select point on land. The capsule may have held two astronauts, but that does not mean that the astronauts had any more space. The spacecraft was only 50% bigger so the astronauts actually had less space. Additionally the missions lasted longer than that of Mercury. The longest was 14 days where the two astronauts spent the majority of the trip strapped into their seats.

14. Project Gemini1962-1966 There were two unmanned missions to test the spacecraft and ten manned missions. Some highlights from the Project Gemini are: ● Ed White became the first American to make an extravehicular activity (EVA or “spacewalk”) during Gemini 4. ● Gemini 6A and 7 completed the first rendezvous. ● Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin proved that you could do work outside the spacecraft safely.

15. Project Gemini1962-1966 Main goal or purpose: Test man and equipment for longer duration in space, rendezvous and dock two orbiting vehicles, move docked vehicles and improve launch, reentry, and landing on land Important people associated with mission: Ed White: first American to perform EVA, Buzz Aldrin: proved you could work outside a spacecraft safely Technology or equipment used: Capsule that could hold two humans Manned or unmanned mission? Manned Date(s) mission occurred: 1962-1966 

16. Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 Project Mercury 1959-1963 America’s first astronaut in space was Alan Shepard, Jr May 5, 1961 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012 Explorer I Jan 31, 1958 Project Gemini 1962-1966

17. Project Apollo1961-1972 Project Apollo was the third manned spaceflight project. This project was part of the mission for NASA that was laid out by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 when he gave his famous “We go to the Moon” speech. In this speech, he gave the goal of “landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth” by the end of the 1960s. The four goals of Apollo were to establish needed technology for space, attaining dominance in space for the U.S., scientific exploration of the Moon and to advance man’s ability to work in a lunar environment. There were six unmanned missions including Apollo 4 – 6 which were test flights after the Apollo 1 disaster. During a test run of Apollo 1 on the launch pad, an electrical fire broke out. Virgil Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee were the astronauts aboard Apollo 1 and all three were killed in the accident.

18. Project Apollo1961-1972 Apollo 8 was the first manned mission to the Moon where they completed ten orbits of the Moon. Apollo 11 was the first mission to land on the Moon. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin would be the first humans to step foot on the Moon with astronaut Michael Collins remaining in the capsule. During the Apollo 13 flight, the service module failed and the astronauts had to abort their Moon landing, but thankfully returned safely. Apollo 15-17 all used the lunar rover to explore the Moon. The Apollo Moon missions returned with many samples of lunar soil and rock that scientists are still studying today. There were three more missions planned, but they were cut do to budget cuts.

19. Project Apollo1961-1972 Main goal or purpose: Establish needed technology for space, attain dominance in space for US, scientifically explore the Moon, advance man’s ability to work in a lunar environment Important people associated with mission: Neil Armstrong: 1st man on the Moon, Buzz Aldrin: 2nd man on the Moon Technology or equipment used: Command module, service module, lunar module, and lunar rover Manned or unmanned mission? Manned Date(s) mission occurred: 1961-1972, first man on the Moon: July 20, 1969 

20. America’s first astronaut in space was Alan Shepard, Jr May 5, 1961 Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 Project Mercury 1959-1963 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012 Explorer I Jan 31, 1958 Project Apollo 1961-1972 Project Gemini 1962-1966

21. Saturn V1967 Saturn V was a heavy lift rocket designed to launch humans to the Moon. It is still to this day the largest rocket ever created. Designed by scientist Dr. Wernher von Braun, it was first launched with Apollo 4 in 1967. It was 111 m (363 ft) tall. That is about the height of a 36 story building and 18 m (60 ft) taller than the Statue of Liberty. The Saturn V was a three stage rocket. The first stage was the most powerful due to the fact that it had to battle Earth’s gravity and lifted the rocket to 68 km (42 mi). Then the second stage carried it close to orbit with the third stage pushing the capsule from Earth’s orbit and toward the Moon. The first two stages fell into the ocean, and the third stage either stayed in orbit or hit the Moon.

22. Saturn V1967 Main goal or purpose: Use heavy lift rocket designed to launch humans to the Moon Important associated people: Dr. Wernher von Brauun Technology or equipment used: Three stage heavy lift rocket Manned or unmanned mission? Used in Apollo’s manned missions Date(s) mission occurred: First launched in 1967 

23. America’s first astronaut in space was Alan Shepard, Jr May 5, 1961 Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 Project Mercury 1959-1963 Saturn V 1967 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012 Explorer I Jan 31, 1958 Project Apollo 1961-1972 Project Gemini 1962-1966

24. Space Shuttle1981-2011 The Space Shuttle differed from NASA’s first three manned programs because it was designed to carry large cargo unlike the small capsules used before. The shuttle was the 18-wheeler of the space program. It was a partially reusable vehicle with the orbiter and solid rocket boosters being able to be reused many times. The orbiter was 37 m (122 ft) long with a wing span of 23 m (78 ft). Launch would take 8 ½ min with an eventual speed of 17,500 mph. The shuttle flew 135 missions from 1981-2011. It helped build the International Space Station and launch and maintain the Hubble Space Telescope. The official name for the space shuttle was the Space Transportation System (STS) and consisted of seven different shuttles over the 30 years the program ran.

25. Space Shuttle1981-2011 The first shuttle was Enterprise which never flew in space. Columbia and Challenger were each lost due to tragedy. In 1983, Challenger exploded during launch with the loss of seven astronauts, including teacher Christa McAuliffe. In 2003, Columbia exploded upon reentry with the loss of all seven astronauts. Discovery, Endeavour, and Atlantis were retired from use in 2011. There have been 355 people to fly on the shuttles from 16 different countries. Each shuttle could hold seven astronauts. Some key astronauts are: ● John Young was the first person to fly a shuttle. ● Story Musgrave is the only astronaut to have flown on all five shuttles. ● Sally Ride was the first American woman in space in 1983. ● John Glen flew in 1998 and was the oldest person to ever fly at the age of 77.

26. Space Shuttle1981-2011 Main goal or purpose: To enable the US to move large cargo and assist with building the International Space Station and launch other satellites and equipment, like the Hubble Space Telescope Important people associated with mission: John Young: 1st to fly in a shuttle, Sally Ride: 1st American woman in space, Story Musgrave: only astronaut to fly on all five shuttles, John Glen: oldest person to fly (age of 77), Christa McAuliffe: teacher lost in Challenger tragedy Technology or equipment used: Three part mostly reusable stack orbiter crew and cargo carrier, external tank liquid fuel tank, solid rocket boosters solid fuel boosters Manned or unmanned mission? Manned Date(s) mission occurred: 1981-2011 

27. America’s first astronaut in space was Alan Shepard, Jr May 5, 1961 Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 Project Mercury 1959-1963 Saturn V 1967 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012 Explorer I Jan 31, 1958 Project Apollo 1961-1972 Project Gemini 1962-1966 Space Shuttle 1981-2011

28. International Space StationFirst Crew: Oct 31, 2000 The ISS was built by five main agencies; The United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and Europe. The International Space Station (ISS) reached its 10th anniversary of uninterrupted human occupation on November 2, 2010. As of July 2012, there have been 125 launches to the ISS which started on November 20, 1998, when the first module was launched into orbit. The station was built over 10+ years with a total of 162 spacewalks. The ISS spans the area of a U.S. football field and weighs 861,804 pounds. It has more livable space than a five bedroom house with two bathrooms, a gym, and comes with a 360-degree bay window.

29. International Space StationFirst Crew: Oct 31, 2000 The ISS is called “international” because it is the product of 15 different countries working together to build it. The main agencies are the U.S., Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. Vehicles can launch to it from multiple countries and all astronauts assigned to the ISS must be able to speak English and Russian. The main goal of the ISS is to serve as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory where there are experiments conducted in biology, human biology, physics, astronomy, meteorology, and many other fields. The research directly assists many fields on Earth.

30. International Space StationFirst Crew: Oct 31, 2000 Main goal or purpose: Serve as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory Important people associated with mission: International cooperation between 15 countries and 5 space agencies, including the U.S., Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada Technology or equipment used: Multiple living and research areas, solar arrays, robotic arms, and launch vehicles Manned or unmanned mission? Manned Date (s) of occurrence: First crew October 31, 2000

31. America’s first astronaut in space was Alan Shepard, Jr May 5, 1961 Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 Project Mercury 1959-1963 Saturn V 1967 International Space Station Oct 31, 2000 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012 Explorer I Jan 31, 1958 Project Apollo 1961-1972 Project Gemini 1962-1966 Space Shuttle 1981-2011

32. Mars Curiosity RoverLanded Aug 6, 2012 The Mars Science Laboratory named Curiosity is a rover that will spend at least 23 months exploring the surface of Mars. It was built and is controlled from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. The main goal of Curiosity is to assess if Mars has ever had or still has environmental conditions that would allow microbial life. The equipment is designed to collect samples of rock and soil, process them and move them to an onboard testing chamber where they can be analyzed. The rover’s six wheel system, called the Rocker-Bogie system, allows it to turn 360-degrees and to drive over obstacles up to 65 cm (25 in) high. Its camera system is mounted on top to give the scientists a “human” view of Mars. This allows them to choose the best locations to send the rover.

33. Mars Curiosity RoverLanded Aug 6, 2012 Main goal or purpose: Search for environmental conditions that allow microbial life Important people associated with mission: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Technology or equipment used: Rover with the rocker boogie system, head mounted cameras and equipment to collect rock and soil, process them, move them to an onboard testing chamber. Manned or unmanned mission? Unmanned Date(s) mission occurred: Landed on August 6, 2012 with a mission duration of 23 months. 

34. America’s first astronaut in space was Alan Shepard, Jr May 5, 1961 Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket March 16, 1926 Project Mercury 1959-1963 Saturn V 1967 International Space Station Oct 31, 2000 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012 Explorer I Jan 31, 1958 Project Apollo 1961-1972 Project Gemini 1962-1966 Space Shuttle 1981-2011 Mars Curiosity Rover Aug 6, 2012

35. Dr. Robert Goddard’s Liquid Fueled Rocket Student Journal Entry Main goal or purpose: _______________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Important people associated with mission: _______________________ Technology or equipment used: _______________________________ _________________________________________________________ Manned or unmanned mission? _______________________________ Date (s) mission occurred: ___________________________________

36. Explorer I Main goal or purpose: __________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Important people associated with mission: __________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Technology or equipment used: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Manned or unmanned mission? __________________________________________ Date (s) mission occurred: __________________________________________ Student Journal Entry

37. Project Mercury Student Journal Entry Main goal or purpose: _______________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Important people associated with mission: _______________________ Technology or equipment used: _______________________________ _________________________________________________________ Manned or unmanned mission? _______________________________ Date (s) mission occurred: ___________________________________

38. Project Gemini Student Journal Entry Main goal or purpose: _______________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Important people associated with mission: _______________________ Technology or equipment used: _______________________________ _________________________________________________________ Manned or unmanned mission? _______________________________ Date (s) mission occurred: ___________________________________

39. Project Apollo Student Journal Entry Main goal or purpose: _______________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Important people associated with mission: _______________________ Technology or equipment used: _______________________________ _________________________________________________________ Manned or unmanned mission? _______________________________ Date (s) mission occurred: ___________________________________

40. Saturn V Student Journal Entry Main goal or purpose: _______________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Important people associated with mission: _______________________ Technology or equipment used: _______________________________ _________________________________________________________ Manned or unmanned mission? _______________________________ Date (s) mission occurred: ___________________________________

41. Space Shuttle Student Journal Entry Main goal or purpose: _______________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Important people associated with mission: _______________________ Technology or equipment used: _______________________________ _________________________________________________________ Manned or unmanned mission? _______________________________ Date (s) mission occurred: ___________________________________

42. International Space Station Student Journal Entry Main goal or purpose: _______________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Important people associated with mission: _______________________ Technology or equipment used: _______________________________ _________________________________________________________ Manned or unmanned mission? _______________________________ Date (s) mission occurred: ___________________________________

43. Mars Curiosity Rover Student Journal Entry Main goal or purpose: _______________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Important people associated with mission: _______________________ Technology or equipment used: _______________________________ _________________________________________________________ Manned or unmanned mission? _______________________________ Date (s) mission occurred: ___________________________________

44. History of Space Exploration 1926 1959-1963 1961 1967 2000 1958 1961-1972 1962-1966 1981-2001 2012