National Aeronautics and Space Administration( NASA) is the space agency formed in 1958 by the
US congress under the presidency of Dwight D Eisenhower. This agency with its headquarters in
Washington DC is accountable for all the space explorations undertaken by the US government.
The Goddard Space Flight Center established in 1959, is a major space research laboratory of
NASA. It is NASA's first space flight center, named in recognition of Dr. Robert H Goddard , the
pioneer of modern rocket propulsion in the United States. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is
home to the nation's largest organization of combined scientists, engineers and technologists that
build spacecraft, instruments and new technology to study Earth, sun, solar system and the universe.
Goddard visitor center located at Maryland is an educational museum . It demonstrates Goddard's
innovative and exciting work in Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary science,
engineering, communication and technology development to the public. The visitor center displays
only a very few models of space crafts and technologies developed by NASA. Many of the originals
and backups are displayed at the National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian) at Washington DC.
A model of Hubble Telescope can be seen at the entrance of the center. Launched in 1990 and still
remains in operation, it provides a uniquely clear and deep views of the cosmos. Named after
astronomer Edwin Hubble, this is the world's first space -based optical telescope constructed by
NASA. Although not the first space telescope, it is one of the largest and most versatile telescope,
and is well known as a vital research tool and a public relations boon for astronomy. One of the key
successful mission of NASA was repairing the Hubble Telescope ,which literally revolutionized the
history of astronomy.Its scientific successor, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), is
scheduled to launch in 2018.
remains in operation, it provides a uniquely clear and deep views of the cosmos. Named after
astronomer Edwin Hubble, this is the world's first space -based optical telescope constructed by
NASA. Although not the first space telescope, it is one of the largest and most versatile telescope,
and is well known as a vital research tool and a public relations boon for astronomy. One of the key
successful mission of NASA was repairing the Hubble Telescope ,which literally revolutionized the
history of astronomy.Its scientific successor, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), is
scheduled to launch in 2018.
The space era started on October 1957 when about the size of a beach ball, the Russian satellite
Sputnik orbited earth and pulled Russia ahead in the space race. It ushered a new political, military,
technological, and scientific developments and marked the start of US-USSR space race. In 1958,
Explorer1,the first satellite was launched by America as part of its participation in the International Geophysical Year .
Sputnik orbited earth and pulled Russia ahead in the space race. It ushered a new political, military,
technological, and scientific developments and marked the start of US-USSR space race. In 1958,
Explorer1,the first satellite was launched by America as part of its participation in the International Geophysical Year .
Goddard Visitor center exhibits many Images of the Solar system .NASA has been taking pictures of
the Earth, the Moon , the Planets, and other astronomical objects inside and outside our Solar System
since its creation. NASA has conducted many manned and unmanned spaceflight programs
throughout its history. In 1961 Alan Shepard became the second person and the first American to
travel into space. In 1968, NASA launched a Mercury Redstone rocket with "Ham the chimpanzee" on board.
the Earth, the Moon , the Planets, and other astronomical objects inside and outside our Solar System
since its creation. NASA has conducted many manned and unmanned spaceflight programs
throughout its history. In 1961 Alan Shepard became the second person and the first American to
travel into space. In 1968, NASA launched a Mercury Redstone rocket with "Ham the chimpanzee" on board.
A Model of space station and images from space are displayed at the visitor center. Landsat Program
of NASA has provided millions of images of the Earth to scientists . These Images are unique
resource for global change, research and applications in agriculture, geology, forestry, regional
planning, education and national security.In 1962 the TIROS satellite of NASA started continuous
coverage of the Earth's weather and provided the first accurate weather forecasts based on data from space.
of NASA has provided millions of images of the Earth to scientists . These Images are unique
resource for global change, research and applications in agriculture, geology, forestry, regional
planning, education and national security.In 1962 the TIROS satellite of NASA started continuous
coverage of the Earth's weather and provided the first accurate weather forecasts based on data from space.
The Gemini program of NASA served as a stepping-stone to the Moon, testing astronauts' endurance,
and the rendezvous and docking maneuvers that would be needed for a lunar mission. Astronaut Ed
White became the first American to walk on space on June 3, 1965. A few models of Artificial
satellites and space shuttles are also exhibited at the Visitor center.
and the rendezvous and docking maneuvers that would be needed for a lunar mission. Astronaut Ed
White became the first American to walk on space on June 3, 1965. A few models of Artificial
satellites and space shuttles are also exhibited at the Visitor center.
There is a Sphere presentation theatre with a 360 degree movie projector at Goddard Visitor center.
It projects the major milestones and achievements of NASA including many useful information
about astronomy. The most attractive milestone in the history of NASA is the" giant leap for
mankind" happened on July 20, 1969. On that day, the whole world was riveted, when Apollo 11
Astronaut, Neil Armstrong stepped off the lunar lander Eagle and took man's first steps on the lunar surface.
It projects the major milestones and achievements of NASA including many useful information
about astronomy. The most attractive milestone in the history of NASA is the" giant leap for
mankind" happened on July 20, 1969. On that day, the whole world was riveted, when Apollo 11
Astronaut, Neil Armstrong stepped off the lunar lander Eagle and took man's first steps on the lunar surface.
Rocket Garden outside the visitor center displays a variety of rockets. The word "rocket" can mean
different things like a missile, spacecraft, aircraft, or vehicle that obtains thrust from a rocket engine.
In 1972, Pioneer 10 become the first spacecraft to travel through the asteroid belt, and the first
spacecraft to make direct observations and obtain close-up images of Jupiter. Launched in 1973 by
the rocket Saturn V, Skylab is the first experimental space station of America operated by NASA till 1979.
different things like a missile, spacecraft, aircraft, or vehicle that obtains thrust from a rocket engine.
In 1972, Pioneer 10 become the first spacecraft to travel through the asteroid belt, and the first
spacecraft to make direct observations and obtain close-up images of Jupiter. Launched in 1973 by
the rocket Saturn V, Skylab is the first experimental space station of America operated by NASA till 1979.
Sounding Rockets also known as research rocket is an instrument-carrying rocket designed to take
measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. Of all the NASA
missions, none has visited as many planets, rings, and satellites, as the twin Voyager 1 and Voyager 2
spacecraft, launched in 1977. Voyager 1, more than twice as distant as Pluto, is farther from Earth
than any other human-made object.
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measurements and perform scientific experiments during its sub-orbital flight. Of all the NASA
missions, none has visited as many planets, rings, and satellites, as the twin Voyager 1 and Voyager 2
spacecraft, launched in 1977. Voyager 1, more than twice as distant as Pluto, is farther from Earth
than any other human-made object.
Spacelab, a modular scientific laboratory developed by the European Space Agency in collaboration
with NASA, was launched aboard the shuttle Columbia in November 1983. The Inter-national
Space Station, seen with naked eye from earth is the largest and most complex international
scientific project in the history. Led by the US, this habitable station draws upon the scientific and
technological resources of 16 nations including Canada, Japan, Russia, 11 nations of the European
Space Agency and Brazil. Construction began in 1998 and crews staffed the station since 2000.
The Mars Pathfinder of NASA arrived at the red planet on July 4, 1997.Five orbiters currently
surveying the red planet are Mars Odyssey (NASA),Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (NASA),MAVEN
(NASA), Mars Express (European Space Agency) and Mangalyan ( India). Opportunity and
Curiosity are robotic rovers of NASA, landed on Mars. (A rover is an automated motor vehicle that
propels itself across the surface of the planet Mars upon arrival) .
Though NASA faced major disaster like the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger (1986) and
Space Shuttle Columbia (2003) which killed all the crew, it continue planning to expand human
knowledge of space; lead the world in space-related technological innovation; develop vehicles that
can carry both equipment and living organisms into space; and coordinate with international space
agencies to achieve the greatest possible scientific advancements. NASA continues to seek answers
to some of the biggest mysteries of Universe. It stands to explore every corner of space to expand
the human knowledge about the universe.
Note: Cameras Used :-Canon Power shot A490
Location: 8800 Green Belt Road,
Green Belt, MD 20771
301 286 2000.
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