NACA-A Look Back, NASA history collection
Many of Langley Laboratory's early experiments focused on ways to reduce aircraft drag. One method was to place a cowling or covering over the engine cylinder heads, much like the hood over the engine of a car.... More
NACA-A Look Back, NASA history collection
Among the famous visitors to NACA facilities: Fred E. Weick, head of the Propeller Research Tunnel section from 1925-1929, in the rear cockpit; aviator Charles Lindbergh, in front cockpit; and Tom Hamilton, avi... More
Highest Honors for Game-Changing Innovation
In 1929, President Herbert Hoover presented the Collier Trophy to Joseph Ames, chairman of the NACA, for the development of low-drag cowling for radial air-cooled aircraft engines. The Collier has been awarded ... More
NACA-A Look Back, NASA history collection
In this photo taken on March 15, 1929, a quartet of NACA staff conduct tests on airfoils in the Variable Density Tunnel, which, in 1985, was declared a National Historic Landmark. l to r Eastman Jacobs, Shorty ... More
NACA-A Look Back, NASA history collection
Amelia Earhart front row, center on the steps of Langley Research Building in 1928 before a tour. Legend has it that, during the tour, part of her raccoon fur coat was sucked into a high speed wind tunnel. Imag... More
1946, NASA history collection. NASA public domain image colelction.
In 1946, the Collier Trophy was awarded to Lewis A. Rodert of Ames Aeronautical Laboratory for the development of an efficient wing deicing system. This Consolidated B-24 Liberator (pictured) was modified by th... More
NACA-A Look Back, NASA history collection
The historical evolution of airfoil sections from 1908-1944. The last two shapes are low-drag sections designed to have laminar, uninterrupted flow over 60 to 70 percent of chord on both the upper and lower sur... More
1946, NASA history collection. NASA public domain image colelction.
Boeing B-29 long range bomber model was tested for ditching characteristics in the Langley Tank No. 2 early in 1946. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001253
Highest Honors for Game-Changing Innovation
In 1947, the Collier Trophy was awarded to John Stack of Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory for research to determine the physical laws affecting supersonic flight. Lawrence D. Bell and Chuck Yeager also ... More
Highest Honors for Game-Changing Innovation
In 1951, the Collier Trophy was awarded again to John Stack and associates at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory for the development and use of the slotted-throat wind tunnel. Stack, head of Compressi... More
NACA-A Look Back - Public domain dedication image
Kitty Joyner, an electrical engineer for the NACA, at work in 1952. Image Credit: NACA NASA Identifier: 430746main_naca_kittyjoyner
Highest Honors for Game-Changing Innovation
In 1954, the fifth and final of the NACA's Colliers was awarded to Richard Travis Whitcomb of Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory for the development of the Whitcomb area rule—a ''powerful, simple, and use... More
Tyulin and Korolev During A-4 Missile Recovery Operations
A rare photo showing artillery Colonel Georgiy Tyulin (left) and Sergey Korolev, the father of the Soviet space program, in Germany in 1946 during the A-4 missile recovery operations. Tyulin would rise swiftly ... More
Lunar Landing Research Vehicle in Flight
This 1964 NASA Flight Reserch Center photograph shows the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) Number 1 in flight at the South Base of Edwards Air Force Base. When Apollo planning was underway in 1960, NASA wa... More
Ed White First American Spacewalker
On June 3, 1965 Edward H. White II became the first American to step outside his spacecraft and let go, effectively setting himself adrift in the zero gravity of space. For 23 minutes White floated and maneuver... More
Gemini 7 in orbit, NASA Gemini program
This photograph of the Gemini 7 spacecraft was taken from Gemini 6 during rendezvous and station keeping maneuvers at an altitude of approximately 160 miles above the Earth. Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 launched on De... More
Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 Rendezvous
This photograph taken on December 15, 1965 shows the Gemini 7 spacecraft as it was observed from the hatch window of the Gemini 6 spacecraft during rendezvous manuevers and station keeping at a distance of appr... More
Ed White performs first U.S. spacewalk
Astronaut Edward H. White II, pilot for the Gemini-Titan 4 space flight, floats in space during America?s first spacewalk. The extravehicular activity (EVA) was performed during the Gemini 4 mission on June 3, ... More
Gemini 6 Views Gemini 7. NASA public domain image colelction.
NASA successfully completed its first rendezvous mission with two Gemini spacecraft-Gemini VII and Gemini VI-in December 1965. This photograph, taken by Gemini VII crewmembers Frank Lovell and Frank Borman, sho... More
Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 rendezvous
This photograph of the Gemini 7 spacecraft was taken from the hatch window of the Gemini 6 spacecraft during rendezvous and station-keeping maneuvers at an altitude of approximately 160 miles above the Earth. T... More
Ed White First American Spacewalker
On June 3, 1965 Edward H. White II became the first American to step outside his spacecraft and let go, effectively setting himself adrift in the zero gravity of space. For 23 minutes White floated and maneuver... More
Ed White in space, NASA Gemini program
Astronaut Edward H. White II, pilot of the Gemini-Titan 4 flight, floats in space while performing America?s first spacewalk on June 3, 1965. White spent 23 minutes maneuvering around his spacecraft as Jim McDi... More
Gagarin on his way to Vostok Launch
A pensive Yuri Gagarin is in the bus on the way to the launch pad on the morning of April 12, 1961. Behind him, seated, is his backup, German Titov. Standing are cosmonauts Grigoriy Nelyubov and Andrian Nikolay... More
Communication Technology Satellite
The Communication Technology Satellite was launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on January 17, 1976 and operated until October 1979. This high-powered spacecraft was the result of a five- year ef... More
Conrad and Surveyor on the Slope of a Crater
Charles Conrad Jr., Apollo 12 Commander, examines the unmanned Surveyor III spacecraft during the second extravehicular activity (EVA-2). The Lunar Module (LM) "Intrepid" is in the right background. This pictur... More
Apollo 8 recovery, NASA Apollo program
The Apollo 8 crew stands in the doorway of a recovery helicopter after arriving aboard the carrier U.S.S. Yorktown, recovery vessel for the historic initial manned lunar orbital mission. In left foreground is a... More
Apollo 11 Crew in Raft before Recovery
The Apollo 11 crew await pickup by a helicopter from the USS Hornet, prime recovery ship for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. The fourth man in the life raft is a United States Navy underwater demo... More
H. Julian Allen with Blunt Body Theory
H. Julian Allen is best known for his "Blunt Body Theory" of aerodynamics, a design technique for alleviating the severe re-entry heating problem which was then delaying the development of ballistic missiles. H... More
Apollo 10 launch, NASA Apollo program
The Apollo 10 (Spacecraft 106/Lunar Module 4/Saturn 505) space vehicle is launched from Pad B, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center at 12:49 p.m., May 18, 1969. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001502
Apollo 11 Crew Conduct Checks in the Command Module
The Apollo 11 crew conducting a crew compartment fit and functional check, of the equipment and storage locations, in their command module. Peering from the hatch are from left, Neil Armstrong, commander; Micha... More
Terraced Wall Crater on the Lunar Limb
This oblique view featuring International Astronomical Union (IAU) Crater 302 on the Moon surface was photographed by the Apollo 10 astronauts in May of 1969. Note the terraced walls of the crater and central c... More
Jacqueline Cochran. NASA public domain image colelction.
Jacqueline Cochran, first woman aviator to break the sound barrier,is sworn in as a consultant by NASA Administrator James E. Webb in 1961. Publication information: Please note that the image number assigned to... More
President Nixon visits Apollo 11 crew in quarantine
President Richard M. Nixon was in the central Pacific recovery area to welcome the Apollo 11 astronauts aboard the U.S.S. Hornet, prime recovery ship for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. Already co... More
Long Shadows on the Lunar Surface
This oblique view of the Moon's surface was photographed by the Apollo 10 astronauts in May of 1969. Center point coordinates are located at 16 degrees, 2 minutes east longitude and 0 degrees, 3 minutes north l... More
Apollo 10 Helicopter Recovery. NASA public domain image colelction.
A Navy helicopter arrivies to recover the Apollo 10 astronauts, seen entering a life raft, as the Command Module "Charlie Brown" floats in the South Pacific. U.S. Navy underwater demolition team swimmers assist... More
Conrad Unfurls Flag, NASA Apollo program
Apollo 12 astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad stands beside the United States flag after is was unfurled on the lunar surface during the first extravehicular activity (EVA-1), on November 19, 1969. Several footprin... More
Soyuz 4 Commander Explaining in-Orbit Docking of Soyuz 4/5
Soyuz 4 Commander Vladimir Shatalov displays how Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5 docked in Earth orbit on January 16, 1969. It was the first time that two piloted spacecraft docked to each other in space. Publication infor... More
The Lunar Limb, NASA Apollo program
A high forward oblique view of Rima Ariadaeus on the Moon, as photographed by the Apollo 10 astronauts in May of 1969. Center point coordinates are located at 17 degrees, 5 minutes east longitude and 5 degrees,... More
A Rille Runs Through It. NASA public domain image colelction.
This oblique view of the Moon's surface was photographed by the Apollo 10 astronauts in May of 1969. Center point coordinates are located at 13 degrees, 3 minutes east longitude and 7 degrees, 1 minute north la... More
?Spider? attached to S-IVB stage
The Lunar Module ?Spider,? remains attached to the Saturn IVB stage in earth orbit prior to docking with Apollo 9?s Command/Service Module, ?Gumdrop.? The photo was taken following separation of the CSM from th... More
Odyssey On Deck. NASA public domain image colelction.
Crewmen aboard the U.S.S. Iwo Jima, prime recovery ship for the Apollo 13 mission, hoist the Command Module aboard ship. The Apollo 13 crewmen were already aboard the Iwo Jima when this photograph was taken. Th... More
Apollo 13 Splashdown, NASA Apollo program
A perilous space flight comes to a smooth ending with the safe splashdown of the Apollo 13 Command Module (CM) in the south Pacific Ocean, only four miles from the prime recovery ship, the U.S.S. Iwo Jima. The ... More
APOLLO 14 EVA View, NASA Apollo program
Astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell, lunar module pilot, photographed this sweeping view showing fellow Moon-explorer astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr., mission commander, and the Apollo 14 Lunar Module (LM). A small clust... More
Kitty Hawk" Nears Splashdown, NASA Apollo program
The Apollo 15 Command Module "Kitty Hawk", with Astronauts David R. Scott, Alfred M. Worden and James B. Irwin aboard, nears a safe touchdown in the mid-Pacific Ocean to end their lunar landing mission. Althoug... More
Apollo 16 Recovery, NASA Apollo program
The Apollo 16 command module, with astronauts John W. Young, Thomas K. Mattingly II and Charles M. Duke Jr. aboard, nears splashdown in the central Pacific Ocean to successfully conclude a lunar landing mission... More
Apollo 16 Command and Service Module Over the Moon
In this photo, the Apollo 16 Command and Service Module (CSM) "Casper" approaches the Lunar Module (LM). The two spacecraft were about to make their final rendezvous of the mission, on April 23, 1972. Astronaut... More
Test Pilot John A. Manke and M2-F3 Lifting Body
NASA research pilot John A. Manke is seen here in front of the M2-F3 lifting body. Manke was hired by NASA on May 25, 1962, as a flight research engineer. He was later assigned to the pilot's office and flew va... More
X-24B on Lakebed. Public domain image of NASA aircraft.
The X-24B is seen here on the lakebed at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The X-24B was the last aircraft to fly in Dryden's Lifting Body program. Lifting bodies were wingless vehicl... More
Skylab Solar Shield. NASA Skylab space station
A sail like sunshade for possible use as a sunscreen for the Skylab Orbital Workshop (OWS) is shown being fabricated in the GE Building across the street from Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas. Three people h... More
Seamstresses Stitch a Sun-Shade for Skylab
Two seamstresses stitch together a sun-shade for the Skylab Orbital Workshop, the first United States Experimental space station in orbit, which lost its thermal protection shield during the launch on May 14, 1... More
Skylab and Earth Limb. NASA Skylab space station
An overhead view of the Skylab Orbital Workshop in Earth orbit as photographed from the Skylab 4 Command and Service Modules (CSM) during the final fly-around by the CSM before returning home. The space station... More
Mission Profile for April 12, 1961 Vostok Flight
The mission profile for Yuri Gagarin?s pioneering flight into space. The flight took place on April 12, 1961 in the Vostok spaceship. Publication information: Image under copyright by R.F. Gibbons. Image and ca... More
Soyuz Spacecraft in Orbit, Soviet Space Program
This scene was photographed with a handheld 70mm camera from a rendezvous window of the American Apollo spacecraft in Earth orbit during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) mission. It shows the Soviet Soyuz s... More
Kathryn Sullivan Sets Altitude Record
An unofficial sustained American aviation altitude record for women was set July 1, 1979, by astronaut candidate Kathryn D. Sullivan in a NASA WB-57F reconnaissance aircraft. The record altitude of 63,300 feet... More
Voyager 1 View of Callisto. NASA public domain image colelction.
Voyager 1 took this picture of Callisto during Voyager's approach to Jupiter's outer large satellite in 1979. Both Galileo and Marius discovered Callisto in 1610. In Greek mythology, Callisto was a nymph loved ... More
Saturn's Rings. NASA public domain image colelction.
This Voyager 2 view, focusing on Saturn's C-ring (and to a lesser extent, the B- ring at top and left) was compiled from three separate images taken through ultraviolet, clear and green filters. On August 23, 1... More
Challenger Ferry Flight Flyover
View of the Shuttle Challenger atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), NASA-905, during its return to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and flyover of the Johnson Space Center (JSC) and the Houston skyline on Saturda... More
Life Cycle of Stars. NASA public domain image colelction.
In this stunning picture of the giant galactic nebula NGC 3603, the crisp resolution of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures various stages of the life cycle of stars in one single view. To the upper left of ... More
Global Image of Io. NASA public domain image colelction.
NASA's Galileo spacecraft acquired its highest resolution images of Jupiter's moon Io on July 3, 1999 during its closest pass to Io since orbit insertion in late 1995. This color mosaic uses the near-infrared, ... More
The Reflection Nebula in Orion. NASA public domain image colelction.
Just weeks after NASA astronauts repaired the Hubble Space Telescope in December 1999, the Hubble Heritage Project snapped this picture of NGC 1999, a nebula in the constellation Orion. The Heritage astronomers... More
Hubble Reopens Eye on the Universe
In its first glimpse of the heavens following the successful December 1999 servicing mission, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captured a majestic view of a planetary nebula, the glowing remains of a dying, Sun-li... More
Light and Shadow in the Carina Nebula
Previously unseen details of a mysterious, complex structure within the Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) are revealed by this image of the "Keyhole Nebula," obtained with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The picture is a... More
An Expanding Bubble in Space. NASA public domain image colelction.
Astronomers, using the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 on board NASA's Hubble Space Telescope in October and November 1997 and April 1999, imaged the Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) with unprecedented clarity. For the f... More
Noordung's Space Station Habitat Wheel
1929 Hermann Noordung depiction of a space station habitat wheel. Hermann Potocnik (1892-1929), also known as Herman Noordung, created the first detailed technical drawings of a space station. Power was generat... More
The Eagle Nebula - Public domain drawing
These eerie, dark pillar-like structures are columns of cool interstellar hydrogen gas and dust that are also incubators for new stars. The pillars protrude from the interior wall of a dark molecular cloud like... More
Gemini 9 and Earth Limb. NASA public domain image colelction.
An unusual view of the Gemini 9 spacecraft taken by Eugene Cernan during his Extravehicular Activity (EVA). His umbilical and spacecraft are visible though he is not. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001495
Lunar Rendezvous Simulator. NASA public domain image colelction.
The Lunar Rendezvous Simulator at Langley. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001736
Augmented Target Docking Adapter, NASA Gemini program
The Augmented Target Docking Adapter (ATDA) as seen from the Gemini 9 spacecraft. The docking adapter protective cover failed to fully separate on the ATDA and prevented the docking of the two spacecraft. The A... More
Profile of Agena Docking Target
A profile view of the Agena Docking Target Vehicle as seen from the Gemini 8 spacecraft during rendezvous in space. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001345
Aerial View of JPL. NASA public domain image colelction.
An aerial view of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, California and the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001980
PAGEOS Satellite. NASA public domain image colelction.
Test inflation of a PAGEOS satellite in a blimp hangar at Weeksville, North Carolina. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001896
NASA "Meatball" Logo. NASA public domain image colelction.
First designed in 1959, this NASA seal has commonly been known as the "meatball" logo. After an official seal was designed, this emblem proposed by James Modarelli, the head of Lewis? Research Reports Division,... More
16 Foot High Speed Tunnel. NASA public domain image colelction.
Photograph of the 16 Foot High Speed Tunnel at Langley with Building 1146 in foreground. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001931
Female Computer. NASA public domain image colelction.
Melba Roy heads the group of NASA mathematicians, known as "computers," who track the Echo satellites. Roy's computations help produce the orbital element timetables by which millions can view the satellite fro... More
The First Docking in Space. NASA public domain image colelction.
The Agena Target Vehicle as seen from the Gemini 8 spacecraft during rendezvous. This was the first time two spacecraft successfully docked, which was a critical milestone if a mission to the Moon was to become... More
Hermes A-1 Test Rockets. NASA public domain image colelction.
The first Hermes A-1 test rocket was fired at White Sand Proving Ground (WSPG). Hermes was a modified V-2 German rocket, utilizing the German aerodynamic configuration; however, internally it was a completely n... More
X-15 Model in Supersonic Tunnel
Shock waves festoon a small scale model of the X-15 in Langley's 4 x 4 Supersonic Pressure Tunnel. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001272
M2-F1 in Tow. NASA public domain image colelction.
The M2-F1 lifting body is seen here being towed behind a C-47 at the Flight Research Center (later redesignated the Dryden Flight Research Center), Edwards, California. The wingless, lifting body aircraft desig... More
Armstrong and Scott with Hatches Open
Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David R. Scott sit with their spacecraft hatches open while awaiting the arrival of the recovery ship, the USS Leonard F. Mason after the successful completion of their Gemini V... More
Dee O. NASA public domain image colelction.
Elliot See and Ed White talking and drinking coffee with Nurse Dee O'Hara in Aero Med, Hangar S. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-000999
White Earth Limb, NASA Gemini program
Edward H. White II, pilot of the Gemini 4 spacecraft, floats in the zero gravity of space with an earth limb backdrop. The extravehicular activity was performed during the third revolution of the Gemini 4 space... More
Cernan Photographed Inside Gemini 9A
Astronaut Eugene A. Cernan, pilot of the Gemini 9A mission is photographed inside the spacecraft by the command pilot, astronaut Thomas P. Stafford during flight. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001051
First Six Women Astronauts with "Rescue Ball
NASAs first six women astronauts pose with a mockup of a personal rescue enclosure (PRE) or "rescue ball" in the crew systems laboratory at the Johnson Space Center. The PRE was created as a possible means of t... More
The "Angry Alligator, NASA Gemini program
The Augmented Target Docking Adapter (ATDA) as seen from the Gemini 9 spacecraft during one of their three rendezvous in space. The ATDA and Gemini 9 spacecraft are 66.5 ft. apart. Failure of the docking adapte... More
Andes Mountains as seen from Gemini 7
Waves of clouds along the east flanks of the Andes Mountains cast off an orange glow by the low angle of the sun in the West. The dark area to the left is the Earth's terminator. This view was photographed by a... More
Skylab Station Viewed by Skylab 2 Command Module
A view of the Skylab 1 space station Orbital Workshop showing the micrometeoroid shield missing. A parasol solar shield was later deployed to shade this exposed area. This picture was taken from the Skylab 2 Co... More
Scott on Slope of Hadley Delta. NASA public domain image colelction.
Astronaut David R. Scott, mission commander, with tongs and gnomon in hand, studies a boulder on the slope of Hadley Delta during the Apollo 15 lunar surface extravehicular activity. The Lunar Roving Vehicle (L... More
Space Shuttle Endeavour Rollout
NASA Administrator Richard H. Truly addresses the audience in attendance at the rollout ceremonies of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour which occured on April 25, 1991, at the Rockwell International facility,... More
Hubble Redeployed After Second Servicing
Orbiter Discovery performs a flyaround of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) after redeployment on the second servicing mission designated HST SM-02. The silvery telescope, with its aperture door open, is sharply... More
McCandless with Space Screw Gun
EVA Astronaut Bruce McCandless II, is using a special power tool to conduct an experiment. His feet are anchored in the mobile foot restraints, which are connected to the Remote Manipulator System's (RMS) End E... More
McCandless on Arm in Aft Payload Bay
Astronaut Bruce McCandless II, STS-41B mission specialist, tests a Mobile Foot Restraint (MFR) attached to the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. McCandless appears to be walki... More
Aldrin Performs EVA, NASA Gemini program
Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., pilot of the Gemini 12 spacecraft performs extravehicular activity (EVA) during the second day of the four day mission in space. Aldrin is positioned next to the Agena work station. NASA Id... More
Low and Wisoff at Work. NASA public domain image colelction.
Mission Specialist (MS) Peter J.K. Wisoff (bottom), wearing an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), works with the antenna on the European Retrievable Carrier (EURECA) while Payload Commander (PLC) G. David Low,... More
Full Earth. NASA public domain image colelction.
View of the Earth as seen by the Apollo 17 crew traveling toward the Moon. This translunar coast photograph extends from the Mediterranean Sea area to the Antarctica South polar ice cap. This is the first time ... More
Backpacking. NASA public domain image colelction.
Mission Specialist Bruce McCandless II ventured further away from the confines and safety of his ship than any previous astronaut ever has. This space first was made possible by the Manned Manuevering Unit or M... More
Cresent Europa. NASA public domain image colelction.
This mosaic of Europa, the smallest Galilean satellite, was taken by Voyager 2. This face of Europa is centered at about the 300 degree meridian. The bright areas are probably ice deposits, whereas the darkened... More
16 Foot Transonic Tunnel Rehabilitation
Transonic tunnel fan blades, with light reflections. Grady McCoy is shown standing next to the fan blades. NASA Identifier: GPN-2000-001300
Neptune Full Disk View. NASA public domain image colelction.
This picture of Neptune was produced from the last whole planet images taken through the green and orange filters on the Voyager 2 narrow angle camera. The images were taken at a range of 4.4 million miles from... More
Cosmonaut Polyakov Watches Discovery's Rendezvous With Mir
Cosmonaut Valeriy V. Polyakov, who boarded Russia's Mir space station on January 8, 1994, looks out Mir's window during rendezvous operations with the Space Shuttle Discovery. NASA Identifier: GPN-2002-000078
Astronaut Owen Garriott Performs EVA During Skylab 3
Scientist-astronaut Owen K. Garriott, Skylab 3 science pilot, is seen performing an extravehicular activity at the Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) of the Skylab space station cluster in Earth orbit, photographed w... More