STS-1 Anniversary

Posted by SpaceSightSeer on April 12, 2009 under Manned Spaceflight | Be the First to Comment

STS-1
On April April 12, 1981 at 7:00:03 a.m. EST, NASA began a new chapter in manned spaceflight with the maiden voyage of the Space Shuttle Columbia. In a mission lasting 2 days, 6 hours astronaut John Young and Robert Crippen tested the performance of the shuttle and demonstrated a safe launch and return. Payloads included the Developmental Flight Instrumentation (DFI) and the Aerodynamic Coefficient Identifications Package (ACIP) pallet containing equipment for recording temperatures, pressures and acceleration levels at various points on the vehicle. Linked is NASA’s gallery of press release images from the mission as we mark the anniverry of the shuttle’s maiden voyage.

NASA Human Spaceflight Gallery

Posted by SpaceSightSeer on January 17, 2009 under Manned Spaceflight | Read the First Comment

NASA Human Spaceflight Gallery

This site does better with current events over historical photos, though some historical photos are included. NASA has created a system of quick menus to allow the visitor to jump to collections of images organized by mission. The past few years are fairly complete with images from the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle. Older materials are included, but appear to be only selectively included.