10 Unforgettable NASA Photos Of Historic Moments In Human Space Travel

Alarmed by the Soviet Union's launching of Sputnik in 1957, the United States immediately stepped up its aerospace programs. By July 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced thecreation of an Americancivilian space program that would specialize in aeronautics and aerospace research. It would be run by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Since this time, NASA has captured the imagination of the nation and the world while pushing the boundaries of aeronautics. Check out these 11 NASA photos of historic moments in human space travel.

Scientists Theorizing About Space Travel

Scientists have long theorized about how humans could travel into space. But it was not until 1924 that Dr. Robert Goddard, a professor at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, developed a complete theory that could explain how this could happen. His work helped to launch the first rockets into space.

Presidential Power

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy declared that one of the mandates of his presidency was to get a man on the moon. Sadly, Kennedy never saw the fruits of his labour as he was assassinated in 1963.

Tours And Briefings

President Kennedy was very committed to helping NASA advance the nation's space exploration program. Here, the President listens to briefings about the program during a tour of NASA in 1962.

Presidential Privilege

Former President Lyndon B. Johnson and former Vice President Spiro Agnew were present when the launch of the first manned flight to the moon, Apollo 11, occurred in July 1969.

Cape Canaveral

Throughout the history of NASA’s space program, Cape Canaveral has been an important site because it has been where almost all spaceship launches have taken place. This is a shot of Missile Row that was taken in 1964.

Saturn V

The Saturn V rocket shot Apollo 11 out of Earth's atmosphere and into space. This picture was taken by a photographer who was in a nearby plane during the launch.

Space Shuttles

Six space shuttles have travelled into space since 1981. The first space shuttle was Enterprise, which was launched in 1977. In April 1981, Columbia became the second shuttle to travel into space. It orbited around the world thirty-seven times before returning to Earth.