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Space History Photos
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.
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In June 1961, the Plum Brook reactor goes critical for the first time.
The space vehicle leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building.
A model of a rocket capable of interplanetary exploration.
Research pilot John Manke pictured with the M2-F3 lifting body.
The rig is prepared for encapsulation in its payload fairing.
This rig was developed to train astronauts in how to gain control of a spacecraft moving in multiple directions at the same time.
An astronaut gives a military salute while standing next to the U.S. flag.
The unpiloted aerial vehicle is inspected upon arrival at the Dryden Flight Research Center.
Workers prepare to test the Plum Brook Reactor.
An inflatable model for a space station that was designed in 1961.
The space vehicle lifts off for the Moon.
One of Langley's Sikorsky YR-4B/HNS-1 helicopters is seen in a wind tunnel.
The test panel on the Douglas B-18, installed in 1941, was designed to test the transition in the boundary layer.
The Apollo 17 mission commander checks out the rover.
A submarine is shown in one of the wind tunnels.
An image of a flexible wing aircraft prototype known as a Fleep.
This control system was extensively tested before wide-spread use began.
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