Apollo Guidance Computer [1965 TV Program]

This 1965 MIT Science Reporter television program serves as a remarkable time capsule, capturing a pivotal moment in the history of space exploration and computer technology. Presented by MIT in association with WGBH-TV Boston and produced for NASA, the program provides an in-depth look at the Apollo guidance computer and navigation equipment, a technological marvel …

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was launched on August 12, 2005

On August 12, 2005, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter was launched from Cape Canaveral, as part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program. MRO is a multipurpose spacecraft designed to conduct reconnaissance and exploration of Mars from orbit. The orbiter played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the Red Planet, both in terms of current conditions and …

The Youngest Person to go to Space: Anastatia Mayers

Anastatia Mayers, an 18-year-old philosophy and physics student from Aberdeen University, made history as the youngest person to travel to space. Her extraordinary journey aboard Virgin Galactic’s Galactic 02 (G02) flight on August 10, 2023, not only set a record for youth but also marked a significant milestone in space tourism.

The future as envisioned in 1967: The year 1999

In 1967, as space-age fantasies ignited imaginations across the globe, the then Philco-Ford, now Ford Motor Company, attempted to capture the future’s heart and soul in a brief cinematic journey. The film titled “1999 AD” catapulted its audience three decades into the future, offering a tantalizing glimpse of everyday life for a quintessential American family, …

First Use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV): July 31, 1971

The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), often referred to simply as the “moon buggy,” was used on the Moon in the last three missions of the American Apollo program (15, 16, and 17) between 1971 and 1972. Its first use was during the Apollo 15 mission, driven by astronauts David Scott and Jim Irwin on July …

Lunar Orbit Rendezvous explained: Here’s why we don’t land a spacecraft on the moon directly

In order to go to the moon, we use complex (and somewhat risky) Lunar Orbit Rendezvous. But, can’t we land a spacecraft on the moon directly? Wouldn’t it be easier? Here’s why we use Lunar Orbit Rendezvous instead of sending a spacecraft to directly land on the lunar surface.

What is the Maximum Gravity Humans Can Survive?

Have you ever wondered, what is the maximum gravity humans can survive? As humankind reaches for the stars and envisages settling planets beyond our own, understanding the potential impacts of varied gravitational conditions becomes a crucial area of research. Recently, scientists delved into the physical constraints imposed by gravity on human functioning. The study, titled …

Apollo 11 Moon Landing: The Most Significant Event of the 20th Century

The human narrative is punctuated by milestones – the moments in time that significantly alter the course of history. The 20th century, in particular, was a period of unprecedented innovation and groundbreaking discoveries. This era birthed remarkable accomplishments like the structure of DNA, the mass production of penicillin, the inception of the computer, and the …

Moon Landing and Digital Age: NASA’s Significant Contributions to the Digital Revolution

The narrative surrounding NASA’s Apollo program often paints it as a high point that soon descended into unfulfilled potential. Critics point out the lack of moon bases, Mars landings, or a network of orbital outposts and label the program as more or less aimless following the landmark 1969 moon landing. However, to see Apollo only …