Topic Guide
jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/space-program
Basic Space Timeline for Docent-led Programs
October 4, 1957 Soviet Union launches Sputnik I satellite
July 29, 1958 NASA established
October 7, 1958 Project Mercury begins
April 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin, first man in space
May 5, 1961 Alan Shepard, first American in space
May 23, 1961 Kennedy speaks to Congress about going to the moon
February 20, 1962 John Glenn, Jr., first American to orbit the earth
June 16, 1962 Valentina Nikolayeva Tereshkova, first woman in space
September 12, 1962 Kennedy speaks at Rice University
March 23, 1965 First manned Gemini flight
October 11, 1968 First successful manned Apollo flight
July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing
1983 Guion "Guy" Bluford -- First Black American in Space
1983 Sally Ride -- First astronaut in space
1992 Mae Jemison -- First Black woman astronaut
Chronology of US Astronaut Missions Mercury, Apollo, and Gemini
nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/chrono_astronaut.html
jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/space-program
Basic Space Timeline for Docent-led Programs
October 4, 1957 Soviet Union launches Sputnik I satellite
July 29, 1958 NASA established
October 7, 1958 Project Mercury begins
April 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin, first man in space
May 5, 1961 Alan Shepard, first American in space
May 23, 1961 Kennedy speaks to Congress about going to the moon
February 20, 1962 John Glenn, Jr., first American to orbit the earth
June 16, 1962 Valentina Nikolayeva Tereshkova, first woman in space
September 12, 1962 Kennedy speaks at Rice University
March 23, 1965 First manned Gemini flight
October 11, 1968 First successful manned Apollo flight
July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing
1983 Guion "Guy" Bluford -- First Black American in Space
1983 Sally Ride -- First astronaut in space
1992 Mae Jemison -- First Black woman astronaut
Chronology of US Astronaut Missions Mercury, Apollo, and Gemini
nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/chrono_astronaut.html
About Mercury 1959-1963
nasa.gov/mission_pages/mercury/missions/program-toc.html
pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/chasing-moon-project-mercury/
nasa.gov/mission_pages/mercury/missions/program-toc.html
pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/chasing-moon-project-mercury/
About Gemini 1962-1966
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/gemini_gallery/
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/gemini/index.html
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/gemini_gallery/
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/gemini/index.html
About Apollo 1961-1972
nasa.gov/specials/apollo50th/index.html
nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/index.html
nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-was-apollo-program-58.html
smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/smithsonians-3d-project-uncovers-new-detail-national-air-and-space-museums-apollo-11-command-module-180958124/
Just for fun...try making an origami Lunar Excursion Module. Demo video and instructions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU8b0Ehuhms
nasa.gov/specials/apollo50th/index.html
nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/index.html
nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-was-apollo-program-58.html
smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/smithsonians-3d-project-uncovers-new-detail-national-air-and-space-museums-apollo-11-command-module-180958124/
Just for fun...try making an origami Lunar Excursion Module. Demo video and instructions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU8b0Ehuhms
Kennedy/Johnson Memo
space_in_session_docs_2022.pdf | |
File Size: | 1080 kb |
File Type: |
About Edward Dwight
thehistorymakers.org/biography/ed-dwight-39
npr.org/2022/07/05/1109678316/edward-dwight-space-race-nasa-astronaut-moon
thehistorymakers.org/biography/ed-dwight-39
npr.org/2022/07/05/1109678316/edward-dwight-space-race-nasa-astronaut-moon
About Geraldyn "Jerrie" Cobb
nytimes.com/2019/04/19/obituaries/geraldyn-m-cobb-dead.html
youtube.com/watch?v=F-tXmvQy0oA
nytimes.com/2019/04/19/obituaries/geraldyn-m-cobb-dead.html
youtube.com/watch?v=F-tXmvQy0oA
Rice University Speech: "We Choose to go to the Moon..."
jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speeches/address-at-rice-university-on-the-nations-space-effort
jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speeches/address-at-rice-university-on-the-nations-space-effort
Docent Program Manuals
space_cart_guide_2018_training.doc | |
File Size: | 95 kb |
File Type: | doc |
John Glenn Gallery Talk Guide (2012)
john_glenns_orbital_ride_fordocents.doc | |
File Size: | 66 kb |
File Type: | doc |
NOT ON DISPLAY BUT HELPFUL
Mercury Program FAQs
Common Questions
Q: How did the astronaut breathe in the Mercury capsule?
A: Two small oxygen tanks were located underneath the seat. When Shepard entered the cockpit, he attached a tube running from the tank to a valve in his suit. The waffle weave design of the long john underwear helps keep the oxygen flowing. Oxygen exits through an outlet in the helmet bringing with it waste materials such as sweat or carbon dioxide.
Q: How did he eat in space?
A: Shepard didn’t need to eat because his flight was only 15 minutes. On later flights astronauts would eat meat and vegetable paste from toothpaste tubes. Space food has come a long way today.
Q: How did the capsule move when Shepard steered it?
A: Valves that emit hydrogen peroxide are on the exterior of the capsule. When the pilot tells the capsule to move by moving the joystick, the valves activate to emit the gas and “push” the capsule in whatever direction it needs to go, kind of like when you attach a balloon to a toy car. As the air goes out of the balloon, the force pushes the car in the opposite direction of the air stream.
Q: Did dogs and monkeys go into space?
A: Source: NASA.gov.
“Before humans actually went into space, one of the prevailing theories of the perils of space flight was that humans might not be able to survive long periods of weightlessness. For several years, there had been a serious debate among scientists about the effects of prolonged weightlessness. American and Russian scientists utilized animals - mainly monkeys, chimps and dogs - in order to test each country's ability to launch a living organism into space and bring it back alive and unharmed. Several animals were launched into space beginning in 1948. Prior to Shepard’s flight, in 1961 a chimpanzee, Ham, survived a sub-orbital flight paving the way for Shepard’s flight. Over the past 50 years, American and Soviet scientists have utilized the animal world for testing. Despite losses, these animals have taught the scientists a tremendous amount more than could have been learned without them. Without animal testing in the early days of the human space program, the Soviet and American programs could have suffered great losses of human life. These animals performed a service to their respective countries that no human could or would have performed. They gave their lives and/or their service in the name of technological advancement, paving the way for humanity's many forays into space.”
Q: “I don’t think we really landed on the moon. I think it was a hoax.”
A: Some people do not believe we really landed on the moon and that NASA staged the scene for television. But there is a great deal of proof that renders the hoax theory impossible. A dozen astronauts between 1969 and 1972 walked on the Moon carrying cameras. Many of them are still alive today and testify to their experience. And Apollo astronauts brought 841 pounds of moon rock home. The geological makeup of moon rocks is very different from rocks from Earth so you would never be able to find anything like them on Earth.
Q: What happened to Yuri Gagarin after his flight?
A: Gagarin became a national hero after his flight. Unfortunately, the 1961 flight was his only space flight because the Soviets did not want him flying for fear they would lose him in an accident. He died in 1968 in a routine test flight. A monument to him stands in Moscow today.
Q: What happened to Alan Shepard after the flight?
A: After his flight he was grounded for several years due to an inner ear problem. In 1971, he flew to the moon on the third lunar landing mission. He was the fifth person on the moon and the first to hit a golf ball on the moon.
Q: Did Alan Shepard really urinate in his space suit?
A: Yes. According to Shepard and the astronauts assisting his launch, he was in the capsule for over four hours waiting to take off. He asked to be let out of the capsule for a bathroom break but was told that was not possible. He wanted to go in his suit but was told if he did that he would short circuit the medical sensors. He told Cooper to shut off the power. Cooper did, and Shepard relieved himself. His heavy first layer absorbed the liquid, and in a short time, the oxygen flowing through his suit dried it out.
Q: More about the capsule
A: Sources: airandspace.si.edu and nasa.gov.
Q: More about Shepard?
A: Native of Derry, NH. Grew up on a farm and did odd jobs at an air field where he learned about airplanes.
Served in the Navy during WWII, then became a military test pilot
5’11”, almost too tall to fit into the capsule
All 7 astronauts wanted to be first in space and they all trained with the idea that they would be first. The choice wasn’t announced until the end of the training. The first flight was given to Shepard largely because he was the most skilled airplane pilot. Glenn was his backup. The second flight went to Gus Grissom with Glenn as his backup.
Q: What are some everyday things we use thanks to NASA technology?
A: GPS, clear braces, temper foam mattresses, shock absorbent foam used in football helmets, freeze dried food, portable cordless vacuums, wireless headsets. Contrary to popular belief, neither Tang nor Velcro were NASA inventions. Astronauts did, however, drink Tang in Space. Great NASA interactive about spinoffs : http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/nasacity/index2.htm
Q: What’s happening with the Space program today?
A: NASA receives federal funding though the shuttle program has ended. The United States, the Soviet Union, Japan and other countries are collaborating on Space experiments on the International Space Station. Some companies in the private sector are launching space expeditions.
Common Questions
Q: How did the astronaut breathe in the Mercury capsule?
A: Two small oxygen tanks were located underneath the seat. When Shepard entered the cockpit, he attached a tube running from the tank to a valve in his suit. The waffle weave design of the long john underwear helps keep the oxygen flowing. Oxygen exits through an outlet in the helmet bringing with it waste materials such as sweat or carbon dioxide.
Q: How did he eat in space?
A: Shepard didn’t need to eat because his flight was only 15 minutes. On later flights astronauts would eat meat and vegetable paste from toothpaste tubes. Space food has come a long way today.
Q: How did the capsule move when Shepard steered it?
A: Valves that emit hydrogen peroxide are on the exterior of the capsule. When the pilot tells the capsule to move by moving the joystick, the valves activate to emit the gas and “push” the capsule in whatever direction it needs to go, kind of like when you attach a balloon to a toy car. As the air goes out of the balloon, the force pushes the car in the opposite direction of the air stream.
Q: Did dogs and monkeys go into space?
A: Source: NASA.gov.
“Before humans actually went into space, one of the prevailing theories of the perils of space flight was that humans might not be able to survive long periods of weightlessness. For several years, there had been a serious debate among scientists about the effects of prolonged weightlessness. American and Russian scientists utilized animals - mainly monkeys, chimps and dogs - in order to test each country's ability to launch a living organism into space and bring it back alive and unharmed. Several animals were launched into space beginning in 1948. Prior to Shepard’s flight, in 1961 a chimpanzee, Ham, survived a sub-orbital flight paving the way for Shepard’s flight. Over the past 50 years, American and Soviet scientists have utilized the animal world for testing. Despite losses, these animals have taught the scientists a tremendous amount more than could have been learned without them. Without animal testing in the early days of the human space program, the Soviet and American programs could have suffered great losses of human life. These animals performed a service to their respective countries that no human could or would have performed. They gave their lives and/or their service in the name of technological advancement, paving the way for humanity's many forays into space.”
Q: “I don’t think we really landed on the moon. I think it was a hoax.”
A: Some people do not believe we really landed on the moon and that NASA staged the scene for television. But there is a great deal of proof that renders the hoax theory impossible. A dozen astronauts between 1969 and 1972 walked on the Moon carrying cameras. Many of them are still alive today and testify to their experience. And Apollo astronauts brought 841 pounds of moon rock home. The geological makeup of moon rocks is very different from rocks from Earth so you would never be able to find anything like them on Earth.
Q: What happened to Yuri Gagarin after his flight?
A: Gagarin became a national hero after his flight. Unfortunately, the 1961 flight was his only space flight because the Soviets did not want him flying for fear they would lose him in an accident. He died in 1968 in a routine test flight. A monument to him stands in Moscow today.
Q: What happened to Alan Shepard after the flight?
A: After his flight he was grounded for several years due to an inner ear problem. In 1971, he flew to the moon on the third lunar landing mission. He was the fifth person on the moon and the first to hit a golf ball on the moon.
Q: Did Alan Shepard really urinate in his space suit?
A: Yes. According to Shepard and the astronauts assisting his launch, he was in the capsule for over four hours waiting to take off. He asked to be let out of the capsule for a bathroom break but was told that was not possible. He wanted to go in his suit but was told if he did that he would short circuit the medical sensors. He told Cooper to shut off the power. Cooper did, and Shepard relieved himself. His heavy first layer absorbed the liquid, and in a short time, the oxygen flowing through his suit dried it out.
Q: More about the capsule
A: Sources: airandspace.si.edu and nasa.gov.
- Height: 9’5”
- Diameter: 6’1”
- Weight: approximately 2316 pounds
- Materials: Titanium shingles, nickel-steel alloy. Titanium is a light-weight metal. It conserves mass while retaining strength.
- A 19’2” escape tower was fastened to the cylinder of the capsule. The blunt end was covered with an ablative heat shield to protect it against the 3000 degree heat of entry into the atmosphere.
Q: More about Shepard?
A: Native of Derry, NH. Grew up on a farm and did odd jobs at an air field where he learned about airplanes.
Served in the Navy during WWII, then became a military test pilot
5’11”, almost too tall to fit into the capsule
All 7 astronauts wanted to be first in space and they all trained with the idea that they would be first. The choice wasn’t announced until the end of the training. The first flight was given to Shepard largely because he was the most skilled airplane pilot. Glenn was his backup. The second flight went to Gus Grissom with Glenn as his backup.
Q: What are some everyday things we use thanks to NASA technology?
A: GPS, clear braces, temper foam mattresses, shock absorbent foam used in football helmets, freeze dried food, portable cordless vacuums, wireless headsets. Contrary to popular belief, neither Tang nor Velcro were NASA inventions. Astronauts did, however, drink Tang in Space. Great NASA interactive about spinoffs : http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/nasacity/index2.htm
Q: What’s happening with the Space program today?
A: NASA receives federal funding though the shuttle program has ended. The United States, the Soviet Union, Japan and other countries are collaborating on Space experiments on the International Space Station. Some companies in the private sector are launching space expeditions.