For All Mankind
Since its founding in 1958, NASA has pushed the boundaries of scientific and technical limits to explore the unknown for all the citizens of our planet. Discover the history of our human spaceflight, science, technology, and aeronautics programs.
News and Events
Read the Latest NASA History Newsletter
The Fall 2023 issue of NASA History News and Notes features a wide variety of articles focusing on the history of solar system exploration.
Call for Papers: NASA and Archaeology from Space Symposium
Proposals for papers are requested for a two-day symposium in honor of Dr. Thomas L. Sever, to be held in person September 18–19, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
Skylab's 50th Anniversary
Launched on May 14, 1973 and visited by three crews, America's first space station paved the way for future long-duration missions.
Discovery@30 Symposium
Join us for a symposium on the history of NASA's Discovery and New Frontiers Programs in January 2024.
A Brief History of the NACA and NASA
The latest publication in the NASA History Series, an easy-to-read survey of the Agency's history from its beginnings in 1915, is now available for download!
65 Years and Counting
Forged in response to early Soviet space achievements, NASA was built on the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), as the locus of U.S. civil aerospace research and development. Since October 1, 1958, when NASA opened for business, it has accelerated work on human and robotic spaceflight, and is responsible for scientific and technological achievements that have had widespread impacts on our nation and the world.
Discover Our History about 65 Years and Counting
Recent NASA History Stories
Stay up-to-date with our latest NASA history articles as we revisit the discoveries and challenges of NASA's past.
65 Years Ago: NASA Begins Operations
On Oct. 1, 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) officially began operations. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the National Aeronautics and Space Act the previous July, creating NASA to lead America’s civilian space program in response…
35 Years Ago: STS-26 Returns the Space Shuttle to Flight
On Sept. 29, 1988, space shuttle Discovery roared off its launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. The STS-26 mission returned American astronauts to space after a 32-month hiatus following the January 1986 Challenger accident that took…
50 Years Ago: Skylab 3 Astronauts Splash Down after Record 59 Days in Space
On Sept. 25, 1973, the longest human spaceflight up to that time ended with the splashdown of the Skylab 3 crew of Alan L. Bean, Owen K. Garriott, and Jack R. Lousma. Their 59-day flight more than doubled the previous…
Forget Movie Magic, NASA Armstrong has the Real Thing
Early in the blockbuster movie “Top Gun: Maverick,” U.S. Navy Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell takes the secret hypersonic “Darkstar” airplane on an unauthorized flight test. After using jet engines to power past Mach 3, roughly 2,300 mph, Maverick says he…
The NASA History Office
The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 not only created NASA but directed it “to provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning NASA activities and the results thereof.” The sharing of information, including our history, has always been, and continues to be, a priority. Historians in NASA’s History Office do historical research, provide context, answer questions for NASA leadership, and share NASA’s History with the public.
Learn More About Our Work
Dive Deeper
Explore interviews with aerospace legends, analyses of key events, aerospace chronologies, and more!
Since NASA’s founding, its History Office has developed history publications and conducted oral history interviews for the use of the general public. Connect with our resources to delve into your aerospace history research.
Explore our Publications
Preserving Our History
And making it accessible to future generations
The NASA Archives works to preserve and provide access to historically and culturally significant records and material created by NASA, including our work in the fields of engineering and science, ensuring that they will be discoverable for generations to come.
NASA Archives
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National History Day Research Help
The NASA History and Archives Offices are strong supporters of National History Day, and have made a ton of material available. Check out our list of resources that will help you with your research.
Kick-start Your Research
