Sailing beyond the horizon, astronauts take up residence among the stars to further research into space exploration and colonization. With limited resources, no running water, and under ongoing adaptation to microgravity, they spend most of their days conducting experiments and space station maintenance. Use these resources to learn more about the adventurers of our age.
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On January 28, 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart just 73 seconds after liftoff. This live CNN broadcast captures the tragedy as it happened—second by second—showing the shock and confusion of one of NASA’s darkest moments.
This interactive project lets you experience Apollo 11 in real time—listening to exchanges between the astronauts and NASA’s Mission Control as they guided humanity’s first journey to the lunar surface and safely home.
On Feb. 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart during reentry, killing all seven astronauts aboard. The tragedy revealed long-ignored safety warnings, leading NASA to ground the shuttle fleet and overhaul its safety culture.
Created by Congress under the National Aeronautics and Space Act, NASA officially began in 1958, building on earlier aviation research and positioning the US to compete in the Space Race and lead global space exploration.
Though "astronaut" has been used to describe any crew member in space, civilian explorers who lack formal training have instead been dubbed "space travelers" by some. The term "astronaut" may one day fall out of use or be modified by ongoing media and social perceptions as the space tourism industry continues to evolve.
Beyond this line, approximately 100 kilometers above Earth's surface, aerodynamic lift is insufficient to keep aircraft aloft without special propulsion systems. The United Nations has historically accepted the line as delineating the boundary of space.
In addition to being the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin was a charismatic propaganda icon and a diplomatic headache for the West. This article examines why his image—and legacy—endured long after he died in 1968.
When Neil Armstrong stepped onto the Moon on July 20, 1969, his first words, transmitted across the globe, became legendary. Decades later, historians still debate whether he meant to say “one small step for a man,” and where the phrasing may have originated.
In 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth, deepening US fears of falling behind in the Space Race. Watch archival footage to see why the mission was such a historic turning point.
Before humans flew into space, early missions sent animals—including dogs, monkeys, and chimpanzees—into orbit. These experiments tested survival, movement, and task performance in microgravity, providing critical data that made human spaceflight possible.
From roughly 60 miles above the Earth's surface to farther than light has traveled during the entire age of the universe, space has captured human imagination for millennia. Explore the final frontier with the best resources curated from across the internet.