Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Johnson's Task, Unify Space Program
Russia was ahead in the "space race" in 1961. In this article, the Library of Congress discusses how President Kennedy assigned Lyndon Johnson the task of uniting the different parts of the U.S. space program into NASA.
Read Works
Read Works: The Astronaut Wives Club
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read about the inspiration behind the book The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
Yuri Gagarin: Comrade Kosmonaut
Highly detailed biography of the first man in space. Includes the pamphlet published to celebrate his return to Russia.
NASA
Nasa: Salyut 4
Overview of the Salyut 4 space station mission and instrumentation. Has a great picture of the computer rendering of the space station.
Other
Historic Wings: John Glenn Friendship 7
The story of America's first astronaut to orbit the earth during the Mercury Space program. After launching the program click on continue or on the numbers to learn about the story of the Mercury program and the first American to orbit...
Other
Soviet Space Photos: Photos of Voskhod 3
Actual photos of the Voskhod 3, viewable as larger versions upon clicking the thumbnail.
NASA
Nasa Star Child: Picture of Gagarin in Space Suit
A large picture with very brief description of Yuri Gagarin in his orange cosmonaut suit. Link to a printable version included.
NASA
Nasa: Sputnik Pictures
NASA provides pictures of various Sputnik program satellites, including Sputnik 1. Also has pictures of key officials involved in the Sputnik program.
Other
We Choose the Moon
Feel like you were right there when Apollo 11 was launched as you listen to the actual Mission Control audio from that date. The mission is further brought to life by photos and video of the event as well as a virtual animation. Go...
A&E Television
History.com: How Landing the First Man on the Moon Cost Dozens of Lives
NASA was preparing feverishly for a moon landing in a race against the former Soviet Union to honor slain president John F. Kennedy's 1961 pledge for the country to land a spacecraft on the moon (and return safely) before the end of the...
NASA
Nasa: Apollo 40th Anniversary
On the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo moon landing, NASA celebrates with this extensive site which includes images, video, audio,and virtual moon visits about and from Apollo 11's voyage to the moon.