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Space Exploration Earth from Space Mars Moon Landing Solar System

Budget of NASA, Year by Year [1958-1969]

Apollo 11: Buzz Aldrin on the Moon
Probably the most iconic event in the 20th century: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the surface of the moon near the leg of the lunar module Eagle during the Apollo 11 mission. Mission commander Neil Armstrong took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. While astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin explored the Sea of Tranquility region of the moon, astronaut Michael Collins remained with the command and service modules in lunar orbit.

The budget of NASA from 1958 to 1969 represents a crucial period in the history of space exploration. During these transformative years, NASA’s funding saw significant fluctuations, reflecting the national priorities and ambitions of the time. This period marked the inception of the Apollo program, leading to the landmark achievement of putting a human on the Moon in 1969. Additionally, other pioneering missions such as the Mercury and Gemini programs laid the groundwork for human spaceflight. This era also witnessed the launch of various scientific and exploratory satellites. In this article, we will delve into the year-by-year budgetary allocations and how they shaped these historic milestones.

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Moon Landing Space Exploration

Moon Landings: All-Time List [1966-2024]

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon (cropped)
Moon Landing: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot, stands on the surface of the moon near the leg of the lunar module, Eagle, during the Apollo 11 moonwalk. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, mission commander, took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. While Armstrong and Aldrin descended in the lunar module to explore the Sea of Tranquility, astronaut Michael Collins, command module pilot, remained in lunar orbit with the Command and Service Module, Columbia.
This is the actual photograph as exposed on the moon by Armstrong. He held the camera slightly rotated so that the camera frame did not include the top of Aldrin's portable life support system ("backpack").
A communications antenna mounted on top of the backpack is also cut off in this picture. When the image was released to the public, it was rotated clockwise to restore the astronaut to vertical for a more harmonious composition, and a black area was added above his head to recreate the missing black lunar "sky" (Related: Why there are no stars in space photos?). The edited version is the one most commonly reproduced and known to the public, but the original version, above, is the authentic exposure. This image was cataloged by NASA Headquarters of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: AS11-40-5903. Image: Wikipedia

In the history of Space Exploration, numerous space missions have been undertaken to study the Moon, the Earth’s natural satellite. Here’s the list of successful moon landings (crewed and uncrewed) with dates and mission summaries.

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Space Exploration

Space Shuttle Endeavour’s Touchdown Meets Columbia’s Salute [An amazing photo from the past]

The space shuttle Endeavour receives a high-flying salute from its sister shuttle, Columbia, atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, shortly after the landing of Endeavour on October 11, 1994
An amazing photo from the past: The space shuttle Endeavour receives a high-flying salute from its sister shuttle, Columbia, atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, shortly after Endeavour's landing on October 11, 1994, at Edwards, California, to complete mission STS-68. Columbia was being ferried from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, to Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, where it will undergo six months of inspections, modifications, and systems upgrades. The STS-68 11-day mission was devoted to radar imaging of Earth's geological features with the Space Radar Laboratory. The orbiter is surrounded by equipment and personnel that make up the ground support convoy that services the space vehicles as soon as they land.

An amazing photo from the past: The space shuttle Endeavour receives a high-flying salute from its sister shuttle, Columbia, atop NASA’s Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, shortly after Endeavour’s landing on October 11, 1994, at Edwards, California, to complete mission STS-68. Columbia was being ferried from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, to Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, where it will undergo six months of inspections, modifications, and systems upgrades. The STS-68 11-day mission was devoted to radar imaging of Earth’s geological features with the Space Radar Laboratory. The orbiter is surrounded by equipment and personnel that make up the ground support convoy that services the space vehicles as soon as they land.

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Space Exploration Energy Technology

From Orbit to Ordinary: 10 Earthly Applications of Space Technology

Space Shuttle Discovery was first launched on August 30, 1984
Space Shuttle Discovery was first launched on August 30, 1984

Space exploration and programs, often seen as lofty pursuits aimed at the stars, have a profound and often overlooked impact on our daily lives. While debates continue about prioritizing earthly concerns over cosmic exploration, it’s enlightening to recognize that many innovations we rely on daily are direct results of space research. From the solar cells powering homes to the satellite navigation guiding our journeys, space technology has silently woven itself into the fabric of our everyday existence, transforming and enhancing our world in unanticipated ways.

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Animals

How Fast Can a Cheetah Run?

Sarah the cheetah, running
How fast can a cheetah run? The fastest properly authenticated cheetah was a female South African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) named Sarah that lived in the Cincinnati Zoo. She was known as the world's fastest land mammal according to National Geographic magazine. She ran 100 meters in 5.95 seconds in 2012 when she was 11 years old, and was radar-timed at up to 61 miles (98.1 kilometers) an hour. She died (put to sleep because of her diminished quality of life) on 22 January 2016 at the age of 15. Photo: a captured image of Sarah from a high speed video clip.

The cheetah, renowned as the fastest land animal on Earth, epitomizes speed like no other creature. While we often hear of its unparalleled velocity, a question that frequently arises is: how fast can a cheetah actually run? Across various sources, speeds ranging from 96 to 120 kilometers per hour (60 to 75 miles per hour) are cited. However, the most accurately documented speed comes from an exceptional individual, a South African cheetah named Sarah (c. 2001-January 22, 2016) from the Cincinnati Zoo.

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Geology Planet Earth

What Makes Yellowstone’s Colors?

Most extreme places life can be found on Earth: the world-famous Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park
The world-famous Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park: A vibrant display of nature's palette. This largest hot spring in the United States captivates with its vivid colors, created by thermophilic bacteria thriving in its scalding waters, a spectacular example of life flourishing in extreme volcanic conditions. Image source: Deposit Photos

Yellowstone National Park, renowned for its geysers, also astonishes visitors with the vibrant colors accompanying these thermal features. Gazing upon these landscapes, one is treated to a visual feast of yellows, oranges, reds, and greens in the flowing hot water, the lining of hot pools, and even in the steam which can appear tinged with color.

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Oceans

Rogue Waves: Oceans’ Terrific Giants

Rogue wave
A rogue wave estimated at 18.3 meters (60 feet) in the Gulf Stream off of Charleston, S.C. At the time, surface winds were light at 15 knots. The wave was moving away from the ship after crashing into it moments before this photo was captured. Image source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website

Rogue waves, reported by the sailors at least since the 19th century, long dismissed as nautical folklore, have emerged as a serious oceanic phenomenon. These towering, unpredictable waves have captivated sailors’ tales and puzzled scientists for centuries. Once considered mere myths, recent evidence has revealed their real and formidable presence, challenging our understanding of ocean dynamics and highlighting the unpredictable power of the sea.

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Aviation Technology Transportation

NASA and Lockheed Martin unveil X-59: The Dawn of Supersonic Flight without Sonic Boom

Lockheed Martin X-59 Quesst
At dawn in Palmdale, California, the X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft, a key element of NASA's Quesst mission, stands poised at Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works. This mission is pivotal in redefining supersonic flight over land by significantly reducing the impact of sonic booms. Image source: NASA

NASA, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, has officially introduced the X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft, a groundbreaking venture poised to redefine air travel. As the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission [see notes 1], the X-59 is designed to address one of the primary challenges to supersonic flight over land – making sonic booms quieter. This unique experimental airplane aims to gather crucial data that could lead to a new era of faster-than-sound commercial flights. This concept has intrigued and challenged aviation experts for decades.

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Life on Earth Evolution

10 Bizarre Places Where Life Thrives on Earth

Most extreme places life can be found on Earth: the world-famous Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park
The world-famous Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park: A vibrant display of nature's palette. This largest hot spring in the United States captivates with its vivid colors, created by thermophilic bacteria thriving in its scalding waters, a spectacular example of life flourishing in extreme volcanic conditions. Image source: Deposit Photos

The Earth is the only planet we know of that can support life in the cold, vast space. It seems we’re extremely lucky because our planet has a lot of unique characteristics that make life possible on it. But, interestingly, it also seems “where life can evolve, it will”. From the scorching heat of volcanic springs to the intense pressure of ocean depths, life adapts and thrives in settings once deemed uninhabitable. Explore the ten most extreme environments where nature defies limits, revealing the adaptability and tenacity of life in our planet’s harshest conditions. This journey unveils the incredible extremophiles, organisms that redefine our understanding of survival and resilience in Earth’s most challenging locales.

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Solar System Astronomy

Solar System’s Planets from the Moon’s Distance

Planets from the Moon distance: Saturn
Saturn from the Moon's Distance

Picture this: observing the solar system’s planets from a vantage point 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles) away – the same distance that separates the Earth and the Moon. At this unique distance, the planets transform into a fascinating celestial display. Jupiter’s grandeur is more pronounced, its bands and moons visibly distinct. Saturn’s majestic rings, while subtler, still catch the eye with their delicate glow. This perspective not only alters their appearance but also enhances our appreciation for the vast scale and beauty of our solar system.

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