1958: Project Mercury Begins
Discusses the start of Project Mercury and considers how NASA researchers...
1972: Nixon Authorizes Space Shuttle Program
Details the creation of the space shuttle program, which developed NASA's first...
2007: Phoenix Lander Sent to Mars
Examines the Phoenix Lander mission, which NASA hopes will provide new information...
More Timeline Events:
-
1959: X-15 Aircraft Makes Its First Flight
Explores how NASA developed the X-15 aircraft, the first American plane to reach hypersonic flight. To combat the intense... -
1960: Transonic Dynamics Tunnel Begins Operation
Considers how NASA engineers used the transonic dynamics wind tunnel to improve a dangerous design flaw in commercial... -
1961: Flexible Wing Design Used for Hang Gliders
Introduces Francis Rogallo, a NASA engineer whose design for the flexible wing became the basis for modern hang gliding... -
1962: Project Gemini Begins
Chronicles the history of Project Gemini, the precursor to the Apollo program that successfully designed and tested all... -
1963: Lifting Body Design Concept Tested
Profiles the development of the lifting body design, a wingless aircraft that later served as the basis for the space shuttle...
-
1976: Viking Landers Touch Down on Mars
Examines the Viking missions to Mars and considers if life can exist on the Red Planet. After describing the components... -
1985: Research Begins on Wind Shear Detection System
Profiles NASA's contribution to the wind shear detection system, a form of radar that detects columns of sinking air and helps... -
1987: Icing Research Tunnel Designated as Historic Landmark
Tours the Icing Research Tunnel (IRT), a National Historical Mechanical Engineering Landmark that tests and develops icing... -
1994: GPS Satellite Constellation Completed
Highlights the creation of the global positioning system (GPS) and explains how NASA satellites keep GPS working... -
1998: Work Begins to Preserve Charters of Freedom
Details how NASA assisted the National Archives in preserving the original copies of the Charters of Freedom, or the Constitution...
-
1999: Helios Prototype Makes Its First Flight
Explores NASA's creation of HELIOS, an unmanned, solar-powered airplane designed to remain airborne for weeks or months... -
2001: MISSE Containers Attached to International Space Station
Investigates MISSE—the Materials International Space Station Experiment—and considers how NASA conducts experiments in the... -
2002: Low-Temperature Oxidation Catalysts Developed for Commercial Use
Details the creation of NASA's low-temperature oxidation catalyst, an experimental catalytic converter that... -
2004: X-43A Sets Speed Record for Jet-Powered Aircraft
Profiles NASA's X-43A scramjet program, which set new records in hypersonic flight and pushed the limits of aircraft technology... -
2005: Huygens Probe Reaches Titan's Atmosphere
Profiles the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its moon Titan and examines the characteristics a planet needs to support...
