Space History Photos
![Neil Armstrong's footprint on the moon as the first human to set foot on the lunar surface as a member of the Apollo 11 crew.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iw85gV7SH2LsRAZA3czVAB-320-80.jpg)
The history of space exploration is rich with photos from NASA that detail the history of space travel, breakthrough propulsion systems, groundbreaking astronauts and missions, and robotic exploration. Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight, from the early days of the space race through the space shuttle era, from the years of the first rockets and satellites to the test-flight era that preceded human spaceflight, and of course beyond.
Related Topics: Stargazer Photos, SpaceKids, Space Books
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Latest about space history photos
![a spherical satellite hangs in a museum](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fhFkCiu65EF8oF2LmfxkWM-320-80.jpg)
On This Day in Space: April 24, 1970: China launches its 1st satellite
By Hanneke Weitering last updated
On April 24, 1970, China became the fifth nation to independently launch a satellite into orbit.
![Carolyn Shoemaker](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KbQsY5krQM93stbRDUqUcj-320-80.jpg)
20 trailblazing women in astronomy and astrophysics
By Elizabeth Howell last updated
From discovering planets to following comets, women all over the world play a crucial role in astronomy.
![an aerial view of two white rockets surrounded by scaffolding and trees](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HQ8DqiagbM27JYssKgqT6E-320-80.jpg)
Solid rocket boosters for shuttle Endeavour exhibit capped with nose cones
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The work to stand up two rockets for the launchpad-like exhibit of NASA's retired space shuttle Endeavour has been capped, literally and figuratively, with the addition of two nose cones.
![Astronaut Mary Cleave is seen on the mid-deck of the space shuttle Atlantis using a laptop computer to run a fluid experiment apparatus during the STS-30 mission in May 1989.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Nzi5bHffSJALp8B5DraseU-320-80.jpg)
Mary Cleave, space shuttle astronaut who led NASA's science division, dies at 76
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Mary Cleave, who launched twice on the space shuttle before becoming the first woman to head NASA's science division, has died. Cleave was the 10th woman to fly in space and spent 11 days in orbit.
![two-panel photo collage, showing, at left, the cover of a book titled "space shuttle stories" and, at right, a crouching man in a suit holds a model of nasa's space shuttle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kBG99ksQXs6BBfsRzzsHRW-320-80.jpg)
Astronaut Tom Jones' new book gathers 'Space Shuttle Stories' from fellow fliers
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Tom Jones has his share of space shuttle stories to tell. His new book includes some, but adds to his experiences through the accounts of more than 130 other shuttle astronauts.
![a collection of dozens of buttons emblazoned with space mission patches.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uGvcn2g2f2jtLacjiCdXN5-320-80.jpg)
New collectible pin buttons depict 'For All Mankind' space mission patches
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
With the return of 'For All Mankind quickly approaching, now is the time to 'button up' for the alternate space history series' journey to Mars. Fortunately, Icon Heroes has exactly what you need.
![a wooden lectern with the presidential seal stands in front of a black background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bHUHHHgiwd7j2QwJ7G8SGg-320-80.jpg)
Not a fake, JFK 'choose the moon' lectern restored to public display
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
As it turns out, the lectern from which President John F. Kennedy proclaimed 'We choose to go to the moon' has been rightly on display for 30 years, contrary to a report that it was a fake.
![Two astronauts wrangle a spool of computer printouts inside the space shuttle.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6VZ9zScGqgAmqFS9X6amca-320-80.jpg)
Karol 'Bo' Bobko, former NASA astronaut who flew three shuttle missions, dies at 85
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
Karol 'Bo' Bobko, who was the only NASA astronaut to fly on the first launch of two space shuttle orbiters, has died at the age of 85. In total, Bobko logged 16 days, 2 hours and 3 minutes in space.
![a woman with blonde hair smiles in front of two quilts that feature portraits of women in spacesuits](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7Ct6LzTEh5zuZMBqprDbeB-320-80.jpg)
Astronaut-artist Karen Nyberg unveils quilt portraits of first women to fly in space
By Robert Z. Pearlman published
The 50th woman to fly into space, Karen Nyberg has paid tribute to the first woman and first American woman to do so with a pair of original works celebrating the first 60 years of women in space.
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