NASA

A technician checks the soil sampler before the Viking Lander goes to Mars.

The FIDO Rover undergoes field test to prepare for conditions on Mars.

Two people get a unique perspective of the environment during a zero gravity flight.

An image shows the orange-soil discovered during the second Apollo 17 EVA and the gnomon, a geology hand tool used by astronauts.

The Deep Space 1 Technology Demonstrator features many new technologies, but none so high-tech as the ion propulsion system.

From above, a dramatic view as a space shuttle orbiter is lifted from its stack.

Astronaut Kathy Thornton prepares to release the damaged Hubble Space Telescope array after removing it.

The Mars Surveyor Climate Orbiter undergoes testing to simulate launch conditions.

The Ranger fleet of spacecraft enabled live transmissions of the moon from lunar orbit.

Ed White became the first American to step outside his spacecraft and let go on June 3, 1965.

Viking, the planetary landing spacecraft, is under assembly.

The five-member crew of the Space Shuttle Atlantis during STS-74 peer at Mir.

The three men who designed, built, and operated the Explorer I satellite celebrate.

An astronaut prepares to install protective covers on the Hubble Space Telescope.

The Lunar Module Spider is attached to the Saturn IVB in Earth orbit.

For the first time, a single crew member attempts to capture the Intelsat VI.

A seamstress, with assistance from three others, creates a possible replacement sunshade for the Skylab Orbital Workshop.

Astronaut Michael Gerhardt stands on the Manipulator Foot Restraint during his STS-69 Extravehicular Activity.

NASA engineers test multi-lobed air bags to protect the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft.

The Space Shuttle Atlantis lands with its drag chute deployed.

The orbiter Discovery shown as it rolls over to the Vehicle Assembly Building.

Before the Voyager spacecraft were launched in 1977, a prototype was put through vibration tests.

Astronaut Edward White awaits Gemini IV's launch in the crew's ready room.

The two astronauts are conducting Detailed Test Objective procedures in the payload bay of Endeavour.

The Cassini Saturn probe goes though vibration and thermal testing in preparation for its four year mission.