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Kathryn Sullivan: The First American Woman to Walk in Space

October 10, 2024

Jennifer Ross-Nazzal

Forty years ago, in October 1984, Kathryn D. Sullivan became the first American woman to walk in space. But being the first presented several challenges that started well before she took those historic steps. Things got complicated just after she learned of her assignment. Questions of Physiology Biomedical researchers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) raised what…
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Former Astronauts, José M. Hernández, space shuttle, Tech Industry, Tech News

Astronaut José Hernández Boards Discovery

September 24, 2024

Monika Luabeya

In this photo from Aug. 7, 2009, Jose Hernandez, mission specialist, smiles at the camera as he waits for his turn to enter the space shuttle Discovery as part of STS-128. It was the 128th Shuttle mission and the 30th mission to the International Space Station. While at the orbital lab, the STS-128 crew conducted…
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Eileen Collins Broke Barriers as America’s First Female Space Shuttle Commander

July 22, 2024

Jennifer Ross-Nazzal

At the end of February 1998, Johnson Space Center Deputy Director James D. Wetherbee called Astronaut Eileen Collins to his office in Building 1. He told her she had been assigned to command STS-93 and went with her to speak with Center Director George W.S. Abbey who informed her that she would be going to…
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NASA Remembers Retired Astronaut, US Air Force Pilot Joe Engle

July 11, 2024

Abbey A. Donaldson

Retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Joe Engle died July 10, surrounded by his family at home in Houston. Among his many honors, he is the only astronaut to pilot both the X-15 and space shuttle. He was 91. Engle became an astronaut at age 32 while flying the X-15 for the…
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Former Astronauts, John W. Young, Robert L. Crippen, space shuttle, STS-1, Tech Industry, Tech News

The First Space Shuttle

April 12, 2024

Monika Luabeya

In this image from April 12, 1981, the first space shuttle, STS-1, launches from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida with NASA astronauts John W. Young, commander, and Robert L. Crippen, pilot, aboard. STS-1 was meant to demonstrate a safe launch into orbit and a safe return of the orbiter and crew, as well as…
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Gemini VI Astronauts Thomas P. Stafford and Walter M. Schirra Jr.

March 19, 2024

Monika Luabeya

Astronauts Thomas P. Stafford (left), and Walter M. Schirra Jr., pose for the camera during suiting up exercises on Oct. 22, 1965. Stafford was selected among the second group of astronauts in September 1962 by NASA to participate in Projects Gemini and Apollo. In December 1965, he piloted Gemini VI, which made the first rendezvous…
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NASA Administrator Pays Tribute to Space Pioneer Thomas Stafford

March 18, 2024

Tiernan P. Doyle

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on Monday’s passing of Thomas Stafford, a lifelong space exploration advocate, former NASA astronaut, and U.S. Air Force general: “Today, General Tom Stafford went to the eternal heavens, which he so courageously explored as a Gemini and Apollo astronaut as well as a peacemaker in…
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Apollo 9, David R. Scott, Former Astronauts, James A. McDivitt, Russell L. Schweickart, Tech Industry, Tech News

Apollo 9 Crew Comes Home

March 13, 2024

Monika Luabeya

Fifty-five years ago today, NASA astronauts James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott, and Russell L. Schweickart splashed down 4.5 nautical miles from the USS Guadalcanal, concluding a successful 10-day Earth-orbital mission in space. In this image from March 13, 1969, a recovery helicopter hovers above the Apollo 9 spacecraft; the astronauts were still inside the…
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Apollo 9, David R. Scott, Former Astronauts, Russell L. Schweickart, Tech Industry, Tech News

Apollo 9 Astronaut David Scott’s Spacewalk

March 7, 2024

Monika Luabeya

Astronaut David R. Scott, command module pilot for the Apollo 9 Earth-orbital mission, stands in the command module’s open hatch during his stand-up spacewalk on March 6, 1969. Astronaut Russell L. Schweickart, lunar module pilot, took this photograph of Scott while also performing a spacewalk. He was positioned on the porch of the lunar module…
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NASA Honors Life of Former Administrator, Astronaut Richard Truly

February 29, 2024

Roxana Bardan

The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on former NASA Administrator and astronaut Richard Truly, who passed away Feb. 27, 2024, at his home in Genesee, Colorado, at the age of 86. “NASA is the place it is today because of people of character, vision, and a spirit of service – people…
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