The history of space exploration is rich with photos from NASA that detail the history of space travel, breakthrough propulsion systems, groundbreaking astronauts and missions, and robotic exploration. Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight, from the early days of the space race through the space shuttle era, from the years of the first rockets and satellites to the test-flight era that preceded human spaceflight, and of course beyond.
Related Topics: Stargazer Photos, SpaceKids, Space Books
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Latest about space history photos
On this day in space! Dec. 23, 1672: Giovanni Cassini discovers Saturn's moon Rhea
On Dec. 23, 1672, Italian astronomer Giovanni Cassini discovered Rhea, Saturn's second-largest moon. Rhea is made up of rock and ice and is covered in craters.
20 trailblazing women in astronomy and astrophysics
From discovering planets to following comets, women all over the world play a crucial role in astronomy.
Solid rocket boosters for shuttle Endeavour exhibit capped with nose cones
The work to stand up two rockets for the launchpad-like exhibit of NASA's retired space shuttle Endeavour has been capped, literally and figuratively, with the addition of two nose cones.
Mary Cleave, space shuttle astronaut who led NASA's science division, dies at 76
Mary Cleave, who launched twice on the space shuttle before becoming the first woman to head NASA's science division, has died. Cleave was the 10th woman to fly in space and spent 11 days in orbit.
Astronaut Tom Jones' new book gathers 'Space Shuttle Stories' from fellow fliers
Tom Jones has his share of space shuttle stories to tell. His new book includes some, but adds to his experiences through the accounts of more than 130 other shuttle astronauts.
New collectible pin buttons depict 'For All Mankind' space mission patches
With the return of 'For All Mankind quickly approaching, now is the time to 'button up' for the alternate space history series' journey to Mars. Fortunately, Icon Heroes has exactly what you need.
Not a fake, JFK 'choose the moon' lectern restored to public display
As it turns out, the lectern from which President John F. Kennedy proclaimed 'We choose to go to the moon' has been rightly on display for 30 years, contrary to a report that it was a fake.
Karol 'Bo' Bobko, former NASA astronaut who flew three shuttle missions, dies at 85
Karol 'Bo' Bobko, who was the only NASA astronaut to fly on the first launch of two space shuttle orbiters, has died at the age of 85. In total, Bobko logged 16 days, 2 hours and 3 minutes in space.
