& the American Space Adventure

SUMMARY nasa history Why NASA? Why explore space? organization & strategic plan the future

nasa history The NACA: National Advisory Committee for Aeronautic Nasa history in brief NASA « meatball » logo How are NASA program names such as Mercury, Gemini and Apollo chosen?

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautic  fonded on March 3, 1915 by President Wilson and the NACA ceased to exist on October 1,  Twelve members (from the War Dpt, Navy Dpt, Weather Bureau) such as O. Wright, C. Lindbergh….  The members of the committee served without compensation.  Its duty was "to supervise and direct the scientific study of the problems of flight, with a view to their practical solution, and to determine the problems which should be experimentally attacked, and to discuss their solution and their application to practical questions....the committee may direct and conduct research and experiment in aeronautics…”  Budget: “$5,000 a year”

NASA “ meatball " logo The NASA Insignia (more commonly referred to as the "meatball") reflects the history and tradition of the Agency and is used in all of the Agency's day-to-day communications materials. Designed in 1959 by former NASA employee James Modarelli, the NASA Insignia contains the following elements: The sphere represents a planet The stars represent space The vector represents aeronautics The orbit represents space travel

Why send people into space when robotic spacecraft usually cost less?  Robots are best qualified for missions that require precise, and for missions that last for a long time, such as trips to the outer planets.  Humans remain better equipped than robots for tasks that involve analytical decision-making or constant adjustment.  It would be difficult or impossible for a robot to perform, such as the repair and retrieval of a damaged or malfunctioning satellite Humans and robots each have their own special roles in space.

Chronology of the US Space exploration ~Space Shuttle ~ A Shuttle reach speeds of about 17,500 mph (28,000 Km/h) to remain in orbit. The Shuttle's orbital altitude normally ranges from 190 miles to 330 miles (304 to 528 km) above sea level Communications satellites go to an orbit 22,300 miles [35,680 km] high The names of the Space Shuttle: - Enterprise - Columbia - Challenger - Discovery - Atlantis - Endeavour The Shuttle costs $1.7 billion

NASA Workforce The core of the initial NASA workforce came from the NACA The workforce grew moderately during the Agency's first several years

NASA Workforce The workforce experienced explosive growth after President J.F.K. announced U.S. plans to place a man on the Moon by the end of the 1960's

NASA Workforce During the decade of the 1970's, several thousand NASA employees were terminated involuntarily during the mid-1970's.

NASA Organization NASA has established the five Strategic Enterprises to function as primary business areas for implementing NASA 's mission and serving its customers. The 5 Strategic Enterprises are: Aerospace Technology Biological and Physical Research(BPR) Earth Science Human Exploration and Development of Space (HEDS) Space Science

CONCLUSION Since its setting up in 1958, NASA has accomplished many great scientific and technological feats. Perhaps more importantly, our exploration of space has taught us to view the Earth, ourselves, and the universe in a new way.