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Apollo - Through the Eyes of
July 20, 2009, marks the 40t
5/6/09
| Description |
July 20, 2009, marks the 40th anniversary of the first human landing on the moon by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins of Apollo 11. A direct result of President John F. Kennedy's mandate to land a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. The achievements of the Apollo missions have since become a benchmark in the annals of human experience. Apollo: Through the Eyes of the Astronauts is a visual celebration of the most heralded space flights in history and a record of one of the most significant episodes in the history of photography. Image Credit: NASA |
| Date |
5/6/09 |
|
Buzz Aldrin on the Moon
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar
8/1/08
| Description |
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot, walks on the surface of the Moon near the leg of the Lunar Module (LM) "Eagle" during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity (EVA). Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. |
| Date |
8/1/08 |
|
The Road to Apollo
Almost 40 years have passed
2/13/09
| Description |
Almost 40 years have passed since July 20, 1969, when the lunar module "Eagle" carrying Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin gingerly made its way down to the Sea of Tranquility, landing humans on the moon for the first time. "From launch to splashdown, there was no aspect of the Apollo mission that scientists, engineers and technicians at NASA's Langley Research Center had not helped to develop in one way or another," said historian James R. Hansen, author of Spaceflight Revolution. This weekly series of photographs will highlight some of the Hampton center's contributions on "The road to Apollo." Credit: NASA |
| Date |
2/13/09 |
|
The Road to Apollo
The most successful of the p
4/21/09
| Description |
The most successful of the pre-Apollo probes, Lunar Orbiter photographically mapped the equatorial regions of the moon. These maps, compiled at Langley, provided the detailed topographical information needed to pinpoint the best landing sites on the moon, including the exact spot in the Sea of Tranquility chosen for Apollo 11. Credit: NASA |
| Date |
4/21/09 |
|
Apollo -- July 1969
Astronaut Edwin E. "Buzz" Al
7/16/08
| Description |
Astronaut Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, lunar module pilot, walks on the surface of the moon near the leg of the Lunar Module "Eagle" during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity. Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, took this photograph. |
| Date |
7/16/08 |
|
girl scouts, poetry
Wow! Apollo 11 It must have
12/16/08
| Description |
Wow! Apollo 11 It must have been like heaven Walking on the moon Aubrey, age 8, Illinois Neil Armstrong took this photo of Edwin "Buzz" Armstrong walking on the moon. |
| Date |
12/16/08 |
|
Apollo 11 Launch
On 16 July 1969, American as
1/1/94
| Description |
On 16 July 1969, American astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., in the mammoth-sized Saturn V rocket on their way to the moon during the Apollo 11 mission. Cmdr. Armstrong and pilot Aldrin landed the spacecraft, Eagle, on the moon's Sea of Tranquillity. Apollo 11 booster stages were tested at Stennis Space Center. |
| Date |
1/1/94 |
|
Rice University Accepts Expl
During the half-time ceremon
10/10/09
| Description |
During the half-time ceremonies of the Rice vs. Navy football game Oct. 10, 2009, Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats presented Rice University President David Leebron with the Ambassador of Exploration Award that was presented posthumously to President John F. Kennedy. From left to right are Rep. Pete Olsen (R-TX), Rice University President David Leebron and JSC Director Michael Coats holding the award. On July 20, the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, NASA honored President Kennedy with the award for his vision and leadership in landing a man on the moon. The Kennedy family has selected Rice University to house and publicly display the award at Fondren Library. President Kennedy called for a national initiative to go to the moon during a speech given at Rice University on Sept. 12, 1962. Image Credit: NASA/Lauren Harnett |
| Date |
10/10/09 |
|
NASA TV's This Week at NASA,
* Administrator Charlie Bold
01/08/2010
| Description |
* Administrator Charlie Bolden joined President Obama at a special White House ceremony honoring educators from across the country for their excellence in mathematics, science teaching and mentoring. The event was part of the President's ''Educate to Innovate'' campaign to boost student achievement in STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and math. * More than 3,500 astronomers and students gathered in Washington for the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society. This year's hot topics included the discovery of ''hot Jupiters",-- five new exoplanets detected by the Kepler telescope in deep space. These discoveries range in size from Neptune to larger than Jupiter and are known as ''hot Jupiters" because of their mass and extreme temperatures, 2,200 to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, they are far too hot to sustain life. * Space shuttle Endeavour moved from the Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39A, signaling the start of STS-130's upcoming mock launch countdown activities. Endeavour's astronauts and ground crews will participate in a launch dress rehearsal, known as the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, starting Jan. 19. The test provides shuttle crews an opportunity to participate in various simulated countdown activities, including equipment familiarization and emergency training. STS-130 is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on February 7 at 4:39 a.m. EST. * STS-130 will also take to the ISS a moon rock brought back from the lunar surface 40 years ago during the historic Apollo 11 mission, it'll be accompanied back to space by a small piece of the Earth's highest mountain. That rock was brought back from Mt. Everest last May by former NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski, who'd carried the Apollo lunar sample on his trek up the 29-thousand and 35-foot-high mountain. * STS-129 Mission Specialists Leland Melvin and Bobby Satcher were among the riders of a flower-adorned Space Odyssey float in this year's Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. |
| Date |
01/08/2010 |
|
Apollo 11 Bootprint
| title |
Apollo 11 Bootprint |
| date |
07.20.1969 |
| description |
The bootprint marks one of the first steps human beings took on the Moon in July 1969. It was made by American astronaut Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission. *Image Credit*: NASA |
|
Aldrin Looks Back at Tranqui
| Title |
Aldrin Looks Back at Tranquility Base |
| Full Description |
Astronaut Edwin E."Buzz" Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module pilot, is photographed during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity on the Moon. He has just deployed the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package (EASEP). In the foreground is the Passive Seismic Experiment Package (PSEP), beyond it is the Laser Ranging Retro-Reflector (LR-3), in the center background is the United States flag, in the left background is the black and white lunar surface television camera, in the far right background is the Lunar Module "Eagle". Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. |
| Date |
07/20/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Johnson Space Center |
|
Apollo 11 bootprint
| Title |
Apollo 11 bootprint |
| Full Description |
One of the first steps taken on the Moon, this is an image of Buzz Aldrin's bootprint from the Apollo 11 mission. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the Moon on July 20, 1969. |
| Date |
7/20/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Headquarters |
|
Apollo 11 Crew During Traini
| Title |
Apollo 11 Crew During Training Exercise |
| Full Description |
Two members of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission participate in a simulation of deploying and using lunar tools on the surface of the Moon during a training exercise on April 22, 1969. Astronaut Buzz (Aldrin Jr. on left), lunar module pilot, uses a scoop and tongs to pick up a soil sample. Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Apollo 11 commander, holds a bag to receive the sample. In the background is a Lunar Module mockup. |
| Date |
04/22/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Johnson Space Center |
|
Apollo 11 Crew in Raft befor
| Title |
Apollo 11 Crew in Raft before Recovery |
| Full Description |
The Apollo 11 crew await pickup by a helicopter from the USS Hornet, prime recovery ship for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. The fourth man in the life raft is a United States Navy underwater demolition team swimmer. All four men are wearing Biological Isolation Garments (BIG). The Apollo 11 Command Module "Columbia," with astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. splashed down at 11:49 a.m. (CDT), July 24, 1969, about 812 nautical miles southwest of Hawaii and only 12 nautical miles from the USS Hornet. |
| Date |
07/24/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Johnson Space Center |
|
Apollo 11 Launch
| Title |
Apollo 11 Launch |
| Full Description |
The American flag heralds the flight of Apollo 11, the first Lunar landing mission. The Apollo 11 Saturn V space vehicle lifted off with astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., at 9:32 a.m. EDT July 16, 1969, from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A. During the planned eight-day mission, Armstrong and Aldrin will descend in a lunar module to the Moon's surface while Collins orbits overhead in the Command Module. The two astronauts are to spend 22 hours on the Moon, including two and one-half hours outside the lunar module. They will gather samples of lunar material and will deploy scientific experiments which will transmit data about the lunar environment. They will rejoin Collins in the Command Module for the return trip to Earth. |
| Date |
7/16/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Kennedy Space Center |
|
Apollo 11 LM Interior
| Title |
Apollo 11 LM Interior |
| Full Description |
This interior view of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module shows Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., lunar module pilot, during the lunar landing mission. This picture was taken by Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, prior to the moon landing. |
| Date |
7/20/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Headquarters |
|
Neil Armstrong On The Moon
| Title |
Neil Armstrong On The Moon |
| Full Description |
Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, Apollo ll mission commander, at the modular equipment storage assembly (MESA) of the Lunar Module "Eagle" on the historic first extravehicular activity (EVA) on the lunar surface. Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. took the photograph with a Hasselblad 70mm camera. Most photos from the Apollo 11 mission show Buzz Aldrin. This is one of only a few that show Neil Armstrong (some of these are blurry). |
| Date |
07/20/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Johnson Space Center |
|
Armstrong Awarded Space Meda
| Title |
Armstrong Awarded Space Medal of Honor |
| Full Description |
Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong receives the first Congressional Space Medal of Honor from President Jimmy Carter, assisted by Captain Robert Peterson. Armstrong, one of six astronauts to be presented the medal during ceremonies held in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), was awarded for his performance during the Gemini 8 mission and the Apollo 11 mission when he became the first human to set foot upon the Moon. |
| Date |
10/1/1978 |
| NASA Center |
Kennedy Space Center |
|
Nixon Telephones Armstrong o
| Title |
Nixon Telephones Armstrong on the Moon |
| Full Description |
Composite photo of President Richard M. Nixon as he telephoned "Tranquility Base" and astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin. The President: "... For one priceless moment in the history of man, all of the people on this Earth are truly one, one in their pride in what you have done and one in our prayers that you will return safely to Earth." Astronaut Armstrong: "...Thank You, Mr. President. It is a great honor and privilege for us to be here representing not only the United States, but men of peaceable nations, men with an intrest and curiosity, and men with a vision for the future. It is an honor for us to be able to participate here today. |
| Date |
01/01/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Headquarters |
|
Photo of Hermann Oberth
| Title |
Photo of Hermann Oberth |
| Full Description |
Hermann Oberth (1894-1989) is considered to be one of the top three pioneers in modern rocketry and is credited with suggesting that space stations would be essential if humans wished to travel to other planets. Oberth was the only one out of the three (Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and Robert Goddard are the other two) to see human spaceflight come to fruition. He was inspired by the tales of Jules Verne in From the Earth to the Moon and Travel to the Moon. He is also the author of Die Rakete zu den Planetenraumen, published in 1923. The book inspired many to pursue spaceflight, despite its challenges. Oberth was a guest at the Apollo 11 launch in July 1969 as well as at the launch of the STS-51J, Atlantis mission. |
| Date |
UNKNOWN |
| NASA Center |
Headquarters |
|
Buzz Aldrin and the U.S. fla
| Title |
Buzz Aldrin and the U.S. flag on the Moon |
| Full Description |
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot of the first lunar landing mission, poses for a photograph beside the deployed United States flag during an Apollo 11 Extravehicular Activity (EVA) on the lunar surface. The Lunar Module (LM) is on the left, and the footprints of the astronauts are clearly visible in the soil of the Moon. Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, took this picture with a 70mm Hasselblad lunar surface camera. While astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin descended in the LM, the "Eagle", to explore the Sea of Tranquility region of the Moon, astronaut Michael Collins, command module pilot, remained with the Command and Service Modules (CSM) "Columbia" in lunar-orbit. |
| Date |
7/20/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Headquarters |
|
Buzz Aldrin on the Moon
| Title |
Buzz Aldrin on the Moon |
| Full Description |
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot, walks on the surface of the Moon near the leg of the Lunar Module (LM) "Eagle" during the Apollo 11 exravehicular activity (EVA). Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. While astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin descended in the Lunar Module (LM) "Eagle" to explore the Sea of Tranquility region of the Moon, astronaut Michael Collins, command module pilot, remained with the Command and Service Modules (CSM) "Columbia" in lunar orbit. |
| Date |
7/20/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Headquarters |
|
President George Bush and Ap
| Title |
President George Bush and Apollo 11 Astronauts |
| Full Description |
President George Bush speaks at the National Air and Space Museum's 20th anniversary celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Here, on July 20, 1989, Bush announced his new Space Exploration Initiative, which was to complete the space station, return man to the moon, and bring man to Mars for the first time. The plan fell apart when NASA offered an estimated budget of 500 billion over the next 20 to 30 years to achieve the President's goal. Congress balked, and NASA returned to its earlier program of primarily robotic space exploration. From left to right are NASA Administrator Admr. Richard Truly, First Lady Mrs. Barbara Bush, Neil Armstrong, President George Bush, Vice President Dan Quayle, Michael Collins, Mrs. Marilyn Quayle, and Buzz Aldrin. |
| Date |
07/20/1989 |
| NASA Center |
Headquarters |
|
President Nixon and Dr. Pain
| Title |
President Nixon and Dr. Paine Wait to Meet Apollo 11 Astronauts |
| Full Description |
President Richard M. Nixon and Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, watch Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin Jr., walk from the recovery helicopter to the Mobile Quarantine Facility aboard the U.S.S. Hornet. The President later congratulated the astronauts by microphone, speaking through a window of the quarantine trailer. During the eight-day space mission, Armstrong and Aldrin explored the Moon's surface and brought back rock samples for scientists to study. Collins piloted the command module in the lunar orbit during their 22-hour stay on the moon. The extravehicular activity lasted more than two hours. |
| Date |
07/24/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Kennedy Space Center |
|
President Nixon visits Apoll
| Title |
President Nixon visits Apollo 11 crew in quarantine |
| Full Description |
President Richard M. Nixon was in the central Pacific recovery area to welcome the Apollo 11 astronauts aboard the U.S.S. Hornet, prime recovery ship for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Already confined to the Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) are (left to right) Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, command module pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot. Apollo 11 splashed down at 11:49 a.m. (CDT), July 24, 1969, about 812 nautical miles southwest of Hawaii and only 12 nautical miles from the U.S.S. Hornet. The three crew men will remain in the MQF until they arrive at the Manned Spacecraft Center's (MSC) Lunar Receiving Laboratory (LRL). While astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin descended in the Lunar Module (LM) "Eagle" to explore the Sea of Tranquility region of the Moon, astronaut Collins remained with the Command and Service Modules (CSM) "Columbia" in lunar-orbit. |
| Date |
7/24/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Johnson Space Center |
|
Eagle" In Lunar Orbit
| Title |
Eagle" In Lunar Orbit |
| Full Description |
The Apollo 11 Lunar Module (LM) "Eagle", in a landing configuration is photographed in lunar orbit from the Command and Service Modules (CSM) "Columbia". Inside the LM were Commander, Neil A. Armstrong, and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. The long "rod-like" protrusions under the landing pods are lunar surface sensing probes. Upon contact with the lunar surface, the probes send a signal to the crew to shut down the descent engine. |
| Date |
07/20/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Johnson Space Center |
|
Space Shuttle Main Engine Te
| Title |
Space Shuttle Main Engine Test Firing |
| Full Description |
On the 25th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 (the first moon landing mission) launch, Marshall Space & Flight Center celebrated with a test firing of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) at the Technology Test Bed (TTB). This drew a large crowd who stood in the fields around the test site and watched as plumes of white smoke verified ignition. |
| Date |
7/20/1994 |
| NASA Center |
Marshall Space Flight Center |
|
Gold Olive Branch Left on th
| Title |
Gold Olive Branch Left on the Moon by Neil Armstrong |
| Full Description |
This is the gold replica of an olive branch, the traditional symbol of peace, left on the Moon's surface by Apollo 11 crewmembers. Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, placed the small replica (less than half a foot in length) on the Moon. The gesture represented a wish for peace for all mankind. |
| Date |
04/16/1971 |
| NASA Center |
Johnson Space Center |
|
The Apollo 11 Prime Crew
| Title |
The Apollo 11 Prime Crew |
| Full Description |
Portrait of the prime crew of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. From left to right they are: Commander, Neil A. Armstrong, Command Module Pilot, Michael Collins, and Lunar Module Pilot, Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. On July 20th 1969 at 4:18 PM, EDT the Lunar Module "Eagle" landed in a region of the Moon called the Mare Tranquillitatis, also known as the Sea of Tranquillity. After securing his spacecraft, Armstrong radioed back to earth: "Houston, Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed". At 10:56 p.m. that same evening and witnessed by a worldwide television audience, Neil Armstrong stepped off the "Eagle's landing pad onto the lunar surface and said: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." He became the first human to set foot upon the Moon. |
| Date |
05/01/1969 |
| NASA Center |
Johnson Space Center |
|
Former Dryden pilot and NASA
Former Dryden pilot and NASA
X-15 on ground with research
| Photo Description |
NASA research pilot Neil Armstrong is seen here in the cockpit of the X-15 ship #1 (56-6670) after a research flight. Armstrong, who later became the first human to land on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, flew the X-15 twice in 1960 -- both times in X-15 No. 1. The dates of his flights were 30 November and 9 December, 1960. Armstrong later flew five more times in the X-15, with his last flight occurring on 26 July 1962. This post-landing photo gives some indication of the large number of people and the amount of effort needed to secure the aircraft after a flight. The individual on the right side of the photo, facing the camera, is Bruce Peterson, who later flew the M2-F1, M2-F2, and HL-10 lifting bodies among other aircraft. |
| Project Description |
Adams., The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft. The original three aircraft were about 50 ft long with a wingspan of 22 ft. The modified #2 aircraft (X-15A-2 was longer.) They were a missile-shaped vehicles with unusual wedge-shaped vertical tails, thin stubby wings, and unique side fairings that extended along the side of the fuselage. The X-15 weighed about 14,000 lb empty and approximately 34,000 lb at launch. The XLR-99 rocket engine, manufactured by Thiokol Chemical Corp., was pilot controlled and was rated at 57,000 lb of thrust, although there are indications that it actually achieved up to 60,000 lb. North American Aviation built three X-15 aircraft for the program. The X-15 research aircraft was developed to provide in-flight information and data on aerodynamics, structures, flight controls, and the physiological aspects of high-speed, high-altitude flight. A follow-on program used the aircraft as testbeds to carry various scientific experiments beyond the Earth's atmosphere on a repeated basis. For flight in the dense air of the usable atmosphere, the X-15 used conventional aerodynamic controls such as rudder surfaces on the vertical stabilizers to control yaw and movable horizontal stabilizers to control pitch when moving in synchronization or roll when moved differentially. For flight in the thin air outside of the appreciable Earth's atmosphere, the X-15 used a reaction control system. Hydrogen peroxide thrust rockets located on the nose of the aircraft provided pitch and yaw control. Those on the wings provided roll control. Because of the large fuel consumption, the X-15 was air launched from a B-52 aircraft at approximately 45,000 ft and a speed of about 500 mph. Depending on the mission, the rocket engine provided thrust for the first 80 to 120 sec of flight. The remainder of the normal 10 to 11 min. flight was powerless and ended with a 200-mph glide landing. Generally, one of two types of X-15 flight profiles was used, a high-altitude flight plan that called for the pilot to maintain a steep rate of climb, or a speed profile that called for the pilot to push over and maintain a level altitude. The X-15 was flown over a period of nearly 10 years -- June 1959 to Oct. 1968 -- and set the world's unofficial speed and altitude records of 4,520 mph (Mach 6.7) and 354,200 ft in a program to investigate all aspects of manned hypersonic flight. Information gained from the highly successful X-15 program contributed to the development of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo manned spaceflight programs, and also the Space Shuttle program. The X-15s made a total of 199 flights, and were manufactured by North American Aviation. X-15-1, serial number 56-6670, is now located at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC. North American X-15A-2, serial number 56-6671, is at the United States Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. X-15-3, serial number 56-6672, crashed on 15 November 1967, resulting in the death of Maj. Michael J. |
| Photo Date |
1960 |
|
Pilot Neil Armstrong with X-
| Photo Description |
NASA test pilot Neil Armstrong is seen here next to the X-15 ship #1 (56-6670) after a research flight. Neil A. Armstrong joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory (later NASA?s Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio, and today the Glenn Research Center) in 1955. Later that year, he transferred to the NACA?s High-Speed Flight Station (today, NASA?s Dryden Flight Research Center) at Edwards Air Force Base in California as an aeronautical research scientist and then as a pilot, a position he held until becoming an astronaut in 1962. He was one of nine NASA astronauts in the second class to be chosen. As a research pilot Armstrong served as project pilot on the F-100A and F-100C aircraft, F-101, and the F-104A. He also flew the X-1B, X-5, F-105, F-106, B-47, KC-135, and Paresev. He left Dryden with a total of over 2450 flying hours. He was a member of the USAF-NASA Dyna-Soar Pilot Consultant Group before the Dyna-Soar project was cancelled, and studied X-20 Dyna-Soar approaches and abort maneuvers through use of the F-102A and F5D jet aircraft. Armstrong was actively engaged in both piloting and engineering aspects of the X-15 program from its inception. He completed the first flight in the aircraft equipped with a new flow-direction sensor (ball nose) and the initial flight in an X-15 equipped with a self-adaptive flight control system. He worked closely with designers and engineers in development of the adaptive system, and made seven flights in the rocket plane from December 1960 until July 1962. During those fights he reached a peak altitude of 207,500 feet in the X-15-3, and a speed of 3,989 mph (Mach 5.74) in the X-15-1. Armstrong was born August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He attended Purdue University, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. During the Korean War, which interrupted his engineering studies, he flew 78 combat missions in F9F-2 jet fighters. He was awarded the Air Medal and two Gold Stars. He later earned a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California. Armstrong has a total of 8 days and 14 hours in space, including 2 hours and 48 minutes walking on the Moon. In March 1966 he was commander of the Gemini 8 orbital space flight with David Scott as pilot?the first successful docking of two vehicles in orbit. On July 20, 1969, during the Apollo 11 lunar mission, he became the first human to set foot on the Moon. From 1969 to 1971 he was Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics at NASA Headquarters, and resigned from NASA in August 1971 to become Professor of Engineering at the University of Cincinnati, a post he held until 1979. He became Chairman of the Board of Cardwell International, Ltd., in Lebanon, Ohio, in 1980 and served in that capacity until 1982. During the years 1982-1992, Armstrong was chairman of Computing Technologies for Aviation, Inc., in Charlottesville,, Virginia. From 1981 to 1999, he served on the board of directors for Eaton Corp. He served as chairman of the board of AIL Systems, Inc. of Deer Park, New York, until 1999 and in 2000 was elected chairman of the board of EDO Corp., a manaufacturer of electronic and mechanical systems for the aerospace, defense and industrial markets, based in New York City. From 1985 to 1986, Armstrong served on the National Commission on Space, a presidential committee to develop goals for a national space program into the 21st century. He was also Vice Chairman of the committee investigating the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. During the early 1990s he hosted an aviation documentary series for television entitled First Flights. |
| Project Description |
The X-15 was a rocket-powered aircraft 50 ft long with a wingspan of 22 ft. It was a missile-shaped vehicle with an unusual wedge-shaped vertical tail, thin stubby wings, and unique fairings that extended along the side of the fuselage. The X-15 weighed about 14,000 lb empty and approximately 34,000 lb at launch. The XLR-99 rocket engine, manufactured by Thiokol Chemical Corp., was pilot controlled and was capable of developing 57,000 lb of rated thrust (actual thrust reportedly climbed to 60,000 lb). North American Aviation built three X-15 aircraft for the program. The X-15 research aircraft was developed to provide in-flight information and data on aerodynamics, structures, flight controls, and the physiological aspects of high-speed, high-altitude flight. A follow-on program used the aircraft as a testbed to carry various scientific experiments beyond the Earth's atmosphere on a repeated basis. For flight in the dense air of the usable atmosphere, the X-15 used conventional aerodynamic controls such as rudder surfaces on the vertical stabilizers to control yaw and canted horizontal surfaces on the tail to control pitch when moving in synchronization or roll when moved differentially. For flight in the thin air outside of the appreciable Earth's atmosphere, the X-15 used a reaction control system. Hydrogen peroxide thrust rockets located on the nose of the aircraft provided pitch and yaw control. Those on the wings provided roll control. Because of the large fuel consumption, the X-15 was air launched from a B-52 aircraft at 45,000 ft and a speed of about 500 mph. Depending on the mission, the rocket engine provided thrust for the first 80 to 120 sec of flight. The remainder of the normal 10 to 11 min. flight was powerless and ended with a 200-mph glide landing. Generally, one of two types of X-15 flight profiles was used: a high-altitude flight plan that called for the pilot to maintain a steep rate of climb, or a speed profile that called for the pilot to push over and maintain a level altitude. The X-15 was flown over a period of nearly 10 years--June 1959 to Oct. 1968--and set the world's unofficial speed and altitude records of 4,520 mph (Mach 6.7) and 354,200 ft (over 67 mi) in a program to investigate all aspects of piloted hypersonic flight. Information gained from the highly successful X-15 program contributed to the development of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo manned spaceflight programs, and also the Space Shuttle program. The X-15s made a total of 199 flights and were manufactured by North American Aviation. X-15-1, serial number 56-6670, is now located at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC. North American X-15A-2, serial number 56-6671, is at the United States Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The X-15-3, serial number 56-6672, crashed on 15 November 1967, resulting in the death of Maj. Michael J. Adams. |
| Photo Date |
1960s |
|
| Photo Description |
Members of the SOFIA infrared observatory support team gather around Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin (in red shirt) during Aldrin's tour of NASA Dryden. |
| Project Description |
Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was honored by the Lancaster JetHawks Class A California League baseball team during their annual Aerospace Appreciation Night on Aug. 25, 2007. Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were the first two humans to set foot on the moon in 1969. Prior to his appearance at the baseball game, Aldrin toured NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, and was brought up to date on several of the major aeronautics, science and space research projects under way at the center by former Apollo-Soyuz and space shuttle astronaut Vance Brand, director of aerospace projects at NASA Dryden. |
| Photo Date |
August 25, 2007 |
|
| Photo Description |
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin (left) and Apollo-Soyuz and space shuttle astronaut Vance Brand discuss Dryden's work on an Orion fit-check crew module mockup. |
| Project Description |
Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was honored by the Lancaster JetHawks Class A California League baseball team during their annual Aerospace Appreciation Night on Aug. 25, 2007. Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were the first two humans to set foot on the moon in 1969. Prior to his appearance at the baseball game, Aldrin toured NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, and was brought up to date on several of the major aeronautics, science and space research projects under way at the center by former Apollo-Soyuz and space shuttle astronaut Vance Brand, director of aerospace projects at NASA Dryden. |
| Photo Date |
August 25, 2007 |
|
| Photo Description |
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin autographs NASA Dryden's F-16XL research aircraft, as his crewmate Neil Armstrong had previously done on the other side. |
| Project Description |
Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was honored by the Lancaster JetHawks Class A California League baseball team during their annual Aerospace Appreciation Night on Aug. 25, 2007. Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were the first two humans to set foot on the moon in 1969. Prior to his appearance at the baseball game, Aldrin toured NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, and was brought up to date on several of the major aeronautics, science and space research projects under way at the center by former Apollo-Soyuz and space shuttle astronaut Vance Brand, director of aerospace projects at NASA Dryden. |
| Photo Date |
August 25, 2007 |
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| Photo Description |
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin tries out the control station for the X-48B Blended Wing Body unmanned subscale demonstrator during a tour of NASA Dryden. |
| Project Description |
Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was honored by the Lancaster JetHawks Class A California League baseball team during their annual Aerospace Appreciation Night on Aug. 25, 2007. Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were the first two humans to set foot on the moon in 1969. Prior to his appearance at the baseball game, Aldrin toured NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, and was brought up to date on several of the major aeronautics, science and space research projects under way at the center by former Apollo-Soyuz and space shuttle astronaut Vance Brand, director of aerospace projects at NASA Dryden. |
| Photo Date |
August 25, 2007 |
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| Photo Description |
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and tour guide Mary Ann Harness check out models of the Ares 1 and Ares 5 space vehicles during Aldrin's tour of NASA Dryden. |
| Project Description |
Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was honored by the Lancaster JetHawks Class A California League baseball team during their annual Aerospace Appreciation Night on Aug. 25, 2007. Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were the first two humans to set foot on the moon in 1969. Prior to his appearance at the baseball game, Aldrin toured NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, and was brought up to date on several of the major aeronautics, science and space research projects under way at the center by former Apollo-Soyuz and space shuttle astronaut Vance Brand, director of aerospace projects at NASA Dryden. |
| Photo Date |
August 25, 2007 |
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Former Astronaut Neil A. Arm
| Name of Image |
Former Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong Visits MSFC |
| Date of Image |
2007-07-19 |
| Full Description |
Among several other NASA dignitaries, former astronaut Neil A. Armstrong visited the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in attendance of the annual NASA Advisory Council Meeting. While here, Mr. Armstrong was gracious enough to allow the casting of his footprint. This casting will join those of other astronauts on display at the center. Armstrong was first assigned to astronaut status in 1962. He served as command pilot for the Gemini 8 mission, launched March 16, 1966, and performed the first successful docking of two vehicles in space. In 1969, Armstrong was commander of Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing mission, and gained the distinction of being the first man to land a craft on the Moon and the first man to step on its surface. Armstrong subsequently held the position of Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, NASA Headquarters Office of Advanced Research and Technology, from 1970 to 1971. He resigned from NASA in 1971. Pictured with Armstrong is MSFC employee Daniel McFall, who assisted with the casting procedure. |
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Apollo 11 Passive Seismic Ex
| Name of Image |
Apollo 11 Passive Seismic Experiment Package (PSEP) Deployed on Lunar Surface |
| Date of Image |
1969-07-20 |
| Full Description |
The first manned lunar landing mission, Apollo 11, launched from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot, and Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins, remained in a parking orbit around the Moon, while the LM, named ?Eagle??, carrying astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin, landed on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew set up experiments, collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth, planted the U.S Flag, and left a message for all mankind. In this photograph, Aldrin is deploying the Passive Seismic Experiment Package (PSEP). |
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Early Apollo Scientific Expe
| Name of Image |
Early Apollo Scientific Experiment Package Deployed on Lunar Surface |
| Date of Image |
1969-07-20 |
| Full Description |
The first manned lunar landing mission, Apollo 11, launched from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot, and Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins, remained in a parking orbit around the Moon, while the LM, named ?Eagle??, carrying astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin, landed on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew set up experiments, collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth, planted the U.S Flag, and left a message for all mankind. In this photograph, Aldrin is deploying the Early Apollo Scientific Experiment Package. |
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Moon after trans earth injec
| Name of Image |
Moon after trans earth injection - Apollo 11 |
| Date of Image |
1969-08-01 |
| Full Description |
On July 21, 1969, only days after walking on the Moon's surface, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin leave lunar orbit and begin the journey back to the space ship Columbia and its return to Earth. As they leave the Moon's orbit, a look back gives them a new perspective of where they were and where man's future lies. This was their final sight of the moon before they began docking procedures with Columbia. |
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Quarantined Apollo 11 Astron
| Name of Image |
Quarantined Apollo 11 Astronauts Addressed by U.S. President Richard Milhous Nixon |
| Date of Image |
1969-07-24 |
| Full Description |
The Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar mission, launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, named ?Eagle??, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, landed on the Moon. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. The recovery operation took place in the Pacific Ocean where Navy para-rescue men recovered the capsule housing the 3-man Apollo 11 crew. The crew was airlifted to safety aboard the U.S.S. Hornet, where they were quartered in a Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) for 21 days. Here, U.S. President Richard Milhous Nixon gets a good laugh at something being said by Astronaut Collins (center) as astronauts Armstrong (left), and Aldrin (right) listen. The president was aboard the recovery vessel awaiting return of the astronauts. With the success of Apollo 11, the national objective to land men on the Moon and return them safely to Earth had been accomplished. |
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Quarantined Apollo 11 Astron
| Name of Image |
Quarantined Apollo 11 Astronauts Addressed by U.S. President Richard Milhous Nixon |
| Date of Image |
1969-07-24 |
| Full Description |
The Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar mission, launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, named ?Eagle??, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, landed on the Moon. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. The recovery operation took place in the Pacific Ocean where Navy para-rescue men recovered the capsule housing the 3-man Apollo 11 crew. The crew was airlifted to safety aboard the U.S.S. Hornet recovery ship, where they were quartered in a Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF). In this photograph, the U.S.S. Hornet crew looks on as the quarantined Apollo 11 crew is addressed by U.S. President Richard Milhous Nixon via microphone and intercom. The president was aboard the recovery vessel awaiting return of the astronauts. With the success of Apollo 11, the national objective to land men on the Moon and return them safely to Earth had been accomplished. |
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Apollo 11 Astronauts Wave on
| Name of Image |
Apollo 11 Astronauts Wave on Their Way to Mobile Quarantine Facility |
| Date of Image |
1969-07-24 |
| Full Description |
The Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar mission, launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida via a Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. The Saturn V vehicle was developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) under the direction of Dr. Wernher von Braun. Aboard were Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, named ?Eagle??, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, landed on the Moon. Armstrong was the first human to ever stand on the lunar surface, followed by Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. The recovery operation took place after splash down in the Pacific Ocean. Navy para-rescue men recovered the capsule housing the 3-man Apollo 11 crew. The crew was taken to safety aboard the USS Hornet, where they were quartered in a mobile quarantine facility. Here the astronauts are shown waving as they enter the quarantine facility. With the success of Apollo 11, the national objective to land men on the Moon and return them safely to Earth had been accomplished. |
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Lunar Module Eagle Upon Desc
| Name of Image |
Lunar Module Eagle Upon Descent to the Moon |
| Date of Image |
1969-07-16 |
| Full Description |
Carrying astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., the Lunar Module (LM) ?Eagle? was the first crewed vehicle to land on the Moon. The LM landed on the moon?s surface on July 20, 1969 in the region known as Mare Tranquilitatis (the Sea of Tranquility). The LM is shown here making its descent to the lunar surface, while Astronaut Collins piloted the Command Module in a parking orbit around the Moon. The Apollo 11 mission launched from The Kennedy Space Center, Florida aboard a Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. The 3-man crew aboard the flight consisted of Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, Command Module pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module pilot. Armstrong was the first human to ever stand on the lunar surface. As he stepped off the LM, Armstrong proclaimed, ?That?s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind?. He was followed by Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin, describing the lunar surface as Magnificent desolation. The crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material which was returned to Earth for analysis. The surface exploration was concluded in 2½ hours. With the success of Apollo 11, the national objective to land men on the Moon and return them safely to Earth had been accomplished. The Saturn V vehicle was developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) under the direction of Dr. von Braun. |
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Quarantined Apollo 11 Astron
| Name of Image |
Quarantined Apollo 11 Astronauts Watch Cake Cutting Ceremony |
| Date of Image |
1969-07-24 |
| Full Description |
The Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar mission, launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida via the Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, named ?Eagle??, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, landed on the Moon. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. The recovery operation took place in the Pacific Ocean where Navy para-rescue men recovered the capsule housing the 3-man Apollo 11 crew. The crew was airlifted to safety aboard the U.S.S. Hornet recovery ship, where they were quartered in a Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) which served as their home for 21 days following the mission. In this photograph, the Hornet crew and honor guard snap to attention to begin the official cake cutting ceremony for the Apollo 11 astronauts. Astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin are visible in the window of the MQF. |
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Quarantined Apollo 11 Astron
| Name of Image |
Quarantined Apollo 11 Astronauts Address by Hawaiian Governor |
| Date of Image |
1969-07-27 |
| Full Description |
The Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar mission, launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, named ?Eagle??, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, landed on the Moon. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. The recovery operation took place in the Pacific Ocean where Navy para-rescue men recovered the capsule housing the 3-man Apollo 11 crew. The crew was airlifted to safety aboard the U.S.S. Hornet recovery ship, where they were quartered in a Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) for 21 days. The recovery vessel docked in Pearl Harbor Hawaii, where the occupied MQF was transferred for transport to the to NASA Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) Lunar Receiving Laboratory in Houston, Texas. In this photo the quarantined astronauts are addressed by Hawaiian Governor John Burns upon their arrival at Pearl Harbor. |
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Quarantined Apollo 11 Astron
| Name of Image |
Quarantined Apollo 11 Astronauts Loaded Onto Trailer For Transport |
| Date of Image |
1969-07-27 |
| Full Description |
The Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar mission, launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander, Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, named ?Eagle??, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, landed on the Moon. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. The recovery operation took place in the Pacific Ocean where Navy para-rescue men recovered the capsule housing the 3-man Apollo 11 crew. The crew was airlifted to safety aboard the U.S.S. Hornet recovery ship, where they were quartered in a Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) which served as their home for 21 days. In this photo taken at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the quarantined housing facility is being lowered from the U.S.S. Hornet, onto a trailer for transport to Hickam Field. From there, it was loaded aboard an Air Force C-141 jet and flown back to Ellington Air Force Base Texas, and then on to the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) Lunar Receiving Laboratory in Houston, Texas. |
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