Charting the Cosmos
For over sixty years, NASA has led humanity's journey into the final frontier. This is the story of the missions, the people, and the discoveries that have transformed our understanding of the universe and our place within it. Explore the timeline of our species' most audacious ambition.
Welcome to the Archives
Select an era from the timeline above or use the filters to begin your journey through NASA's history. Each point represents a pivotal program or mission, revealing the story of how we reached for the stars.
In-Depth Features
The Pioneers
A comprehensive history of NASA's first eight astronaut groups, from the Mercury Seven to the first class of Space Shuttle commanders and mission specialists.
Project Mercury
The story of America's first astronauts, the Mercury Seven, and the nation's inaugural steps into the final frontier.
Pioneer Program
The story of the pathfinder probes that were the first to visit Jupiter and Saturn, and the first human-made objects to leave the solar system.
Gemini Program
The crucial bridge to the Moon, where NASA mastered rendezvous, docking, and spacewalking.
Project Apollo
A comprehensive technical and historical review of the monumental program that landed humanity on the Moon.
Mariner Program
Discover the robotic explorers that performed the first flybys of Mars, Venus, and Mercury, revealing their secrets for the first time.
Declassified: The Secret Space Station
The declassified history of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL), the USAF's secret military space station and reconnaissance program of the Cold War.
America's First Space Station
The story of Skylab, the orbital workshop born from Apollo hardware that was saved by its crew and became a testbed for long-duration spaceflight.
The Handshake in Orbit
The definitive history of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, the first international human spaceflight that marked the end of the Space Race and the dawn of cooperation.
Viking Mars Landers
An in-depth look at the twin Viking landers that performed the first successful landings on Mars and conducted the first search for life.
Voyager 1 and 2
The epic story of the twin Voyager probes and their "Grand Tour" of the outer planets, a journey that continues into interstellar space.
Advancing Martian Exploration
A comprehensive analysis of NASA's modern rovers: Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance.