NASA
NASA is the United States' Government funded space exploration program. They have many great achievements, and play a very important role in space exploration today, and even in the future.
1940s - The Beginning The National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio are transformed into a world class aircraft engine research laboratory. Only one year later on January 23rd NACA breaks ground on the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL). Shortly after that E. Raymond Sharp is named the first manager of the lab. Research begins on May 8th 1942. IN 1943 Langley Power Plants Division moves to Cleveland, and NACA Aircraft Engine Research Aleatory is officially dedicated. Finally, the first testis performed in 1944 in the Altitude Wind Tunnel with a jet engine, and the cooling ability of the B-29 Superfortress. In 1948 George Lewis dies, and in his honor the lab is renamed NACA Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory. To wrap up the history of the 40s the 8x6 Supersonic Wind Tunnel is completed. 1950s - Jet Propulsion In this era the lab's focus turns more towards pioneering rocket engine and propellant research, instead of jet propulsion. In 1950 the icing research center provides a more realistic test sight. When we jump to 1953 full scale crash tests, conducted by Lewis, are taken on twin engine cargo planes. When they look back at the motion-picture film the y had taken of the crash, it provides valuable information for safety of future air crafts. One year later hydrogen/fluorine cools the rocket engine. Neil Armstrong who plays a major role later makes an entrance as a test pilot at Lewis. Mission to Mars NASA is working on sending humans to Mars in the 2030s. Rovers have been helping NASA study Mars for more that 40 years. First, NASA's path for exploration of Mars starts with a low-Earth orbit in the International Space Station. The space station can also help the understanding of how the body changes once it's in space and protecting astronaut health. Next, NASA will send a robotic mission to capture and redirect an asteroid to orbit the moon. Astronauts on Orion will explore the astroid in the 2020s returning with samples. The data that the astronauts will come back with will help further plan NASA's mission to Mars by showing the measure of the radiation. |