Above and Beyond: NASA's Journey to Tomorrow

Europe and the United States are working together on an unprecedented journey to learn more about the impact of the Sun on our planet, to really know what its atmosphere is like and how it affects our environment; since solar radiation increasingly affects our lives and telecommunications.

The Dream Is Alive takes you into space alongside the astronauts on the space shuttle. Share with them the delights of zero gravity while working, eating and sleeping in orbit around the Earth. Float as never before over the towering Andes, the boot of Italy, Egypt and the Nile. Witness firsthand a tension-filled satellite capture and repair and the historic first spacewalk by an American woman.

NASA's Aeronautics and Space Reports for 1965 features 12 monthly reports (#1 through #12) that cover a wide variety of topics. Each of the reports is around 4 1/2 minutes long, with a longer recap in the December report.

NASA's Aeronautics and Space Reports for 1966 features 12 monthly reports (#13 through #24) that cover a wide variety of topics. Each of the reports is around 4 1/2 minutes long, with a longer recap in the December report.

NASA's Aeronautics and Space Reports for 1967 features 13 monthly reports (#25 through #37) that cover a wide variety of topics. Each of the reports is around 4 1/2 minutes long, with a longer recap in the December report. In 1967 a longer report was produced in October for Langley's 50th Anniversary and a special report was produced on the first flight of the Saturn V, Apollo 4.

NASA's Aeronautics and Space Reports for 1968 features 12 monthly reports (#38 through #49) that cover a wide variety of topics. Each of the reports is around 4 1/2 minutes long, with a longer recap in the December report.

A collection of rare material on the first manned Apollo mission, the accidental fire, and its aftermath.

Chronicle of the first manned Apollo mission, including complete TV transmissions and onboard film. Coming just 21 months after the tragedy of the APollo 1 fire, the mission of Apollo 7 was a groundbreaking achievement on the way to the moon. No other spacecraft, on its initial flight test, had accomplished so much and performed so flawlessly.

The December 1968 journey of the Apollo 8 crew into lunar orbit verified the essential elements of the Apollo-Saturn system, and at the same time gave man a view of the Earth that will live through the ages. For many of us, the Apollo 8 mission and broadcasts will always hold a special significance in the history of space exploration.

On the road to the moon, the mission of Apollo 9 stands as an important gateway in experience and procedures - leading directly to the confidence gained to place a man on the moon less than a half a year later. The first manned mission of the CSM and LM together, astronauts left the safety of the command module and separated in a craft not able to return to Earth. Working through rendezvous and docking procedures, including burn procedures which would later be used to help Apollo 13 return to Earth, the voyage of Apollo 9 was a spectacular achievement in the history of spaceflight.

The mission of Apollo 10 sent astronauts Stafford, Cernan and Young, veterans all, on a dress rehearsal for the lunar landing. Except for the final descent, the mission would work out all the steps necessary for the Apollo 11 mission just two months later. Just the second time men had flown to the vicinity of the moon, the mission stands as an achievement in its own right.

Apollo 12 was the second lunar landing mission, coming just 4 months after the triumph of Apollo 11. Designed to exercise a pinpoint landing and more robust exploration of the area, the Apollo 12 mission set down in the Ocean of Storms about 200 meters from the Surveyor III probe, which landed in April, 1967. Featuring the jovial crew of Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon and Alan Bean, the Apollo 12 mission launched into a thunderstorm and was struck by lightning shortly after liftoff. Despite concern for the health of the spacecraft, Apollo 12 was checked out in Earth orbit and proceeded on a successful mission and exploration of the moon.

The mission of Apollo 13 was slated to be the third manned lunar landing mission, to the Fra Mauro region of the moon. Just two days out an oxygen explosion not only cancelled any hope of landing on the moon, but left the crew in mortal peril.

In January of 1971 the fourth manned mission to the moon was launched from Kennedy Space Center. Targeted at Fra Mauro highlands, astronauts Shephard and Mitchell would explore the surface, while Stu Roosa orbited above in the command module.

In July and early August of 1971, NASA embarked on an ambitious and challenging lunar mission - the journey of Apollo 15 to the Hadley-Apennine region.The first of the "J" lunar missions, Apollo 15 took the first Lunar Rover to the surface, allowing the crew to explore the beautiful region of Mt. Hadley and Hadley Rille over 3 days. New science was conducted in orbit as well, with the addition of an array of photographic and scientific instruments in the Apollo CSM.

The fifth successful lunar landing mission, Apollo 16 was the second of NASA’s “J” lunar missions. With extended lunar stay times and the greater mobility afforded by the lunar rover, the final three Apollo lunar landing missions greatly expanded man’s first program of lunar exploration. John Young, Charlie Duke, and Ken Mattingly executed a spectacular mission to the Descartes highlands. The landing site lies in the central lunar highlands in hilly, grooved and furrowed lurain. The mission was the first to a lunar highlands area – quite different from any location previously visited. Young and Duke explored the site during 3 EVAs, while Mattingly conducted an extensive program of scientific observation from lunar orbit.

Material surrounding the development of the Apollo Manned Lunar Landing Project. These rare programs provide a unique glimpse into the development of the program at Johnson Space Center in the mid 1960's. The programs tend to be project, operational and spacecraft specific.

In May 1961 the United States launched astronaut Alan Shephard on a 15 minute sub-orbital flight to begin America's manned spaceflight program.

Imagine it is 1964, and you arrive in Houston for your new position in Mission Control for Project Gemini. For orientation it is movie time! These wonderful rare films take you through Gemini systems...

An overview to the history of launch vehicles in the United States. Everything from Goddard to the V-2 to Vanguard and Explorer I, to Atlas and Titan, even the Saturns and Space Shuttle. Also rare Air Force documentaries, on Vandenberg, the X-17, SAC, and the Thor. Footage of many launches and explosions, with expert commentary by propulsion engineer Dave Mohr.