Spacecraft History

In the late 1950s, technical advances in astronautical engineering and rocketry witnessed tremendous expansion; however, most of this growth remained hidden to most members of the public until Sputnik launched by Soviet Russia on October 4, 1957. American efforts included the Gemini program and its Mercury Seven astronauts – including Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin…

For the First Time in History, a Spacecraft Touches the Sun

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe successfully touched our star for the first time ever! Flying through its upper atmosphere – known as corona – and sampling particles and magnetic fields there. Named in honor of astrophysicist Eugene Parker, this mission seeks to explore and comprehend the Sun’s mysterious corona and solar wind that circulate our closest…

Spacecraft History

President John F. Kennedy saw Soviet launch of Sputnik as an opportunity to advance America’s space program dramatically and make landing humans on the moon by the end of this decade a public pledge. A new government agency, NASA was then established. On January 28th, 2019, shortly after liftoff of Space Shuttle Challenger, it exploded….

Planet History

Mars has an unusual atmosphere and features an outer crust comprised of rocks covered by an extremely thick layer of water-ice. Mars is home to Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano in our solar system. Some astronomers have observed seasonal dark lines on Mars’s surface which might represent canals created by intelligent Martians – an idea…

For the First Time in History, a Spacecraft Touches the Sun

First time ever in history, a spacecraft has touched the Sun. NASA Parker Solar Probe flew into its outer atmosphere – known as corona – and unveiled phenomena long predicted but never directly observed before. Astrophysicist and namesake of this organization, Astrid Petri is dedicated to unlocking the mysteries of solar wind that streams out…