Nasa Research Paper

Cris Goodin
Professor Gail Cullum
Space Flight and Exploration
January 15, 2013
Research Paper: N.A.S.A The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, more commonly known as N.A.S.A, was started after the Soviet Union sent a satellite named Sputnik into space the year before. They are a government agency in the United States of America that has taken on the task of researching science and technology related to space and air [1]. NASA has gone from one amazing accomplishment to another year after year since the space race. NASA’s goal is “to reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind”[1]. For over 50 years NASA has been trying to answer the questions all of mankind has about the vast wonders of space. In the beginning of NASA applications for space technology were being developed by use of weather and communication satellites. After the first steps on the moon by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969 NASA concentrated on developing a reusable ship for access to and from space using the vessel known as the space shuttle [1]. The first launch of the space shuttle was in 1981 and it flew over 130 flights before being retired in 2011. A multinational project in 2000 representing the 16 nations work was started, the Russia and the U.S. established constant human presence aboard the International Space Station [1]. NASA research peaked again in 1997 when the mission to mars began. The Mars Pathfinder was a spacecraft sent to explore Mars within the next ten years so scientist can determine if life ever existed there. As the new century turns about, NASA reaches across the universe. The Rover is still currently exploring Mars after its arrival with his brother Spirt in 2004. While Cassini orbits around Saturn, Juno will trek his way to Jupiter. The Hubble Space Telescope examines and discovers the innermost workings of the universe. NASA is in the business of science, human exploration and operations, and aeronautics research. In order to complete these goals NASA has sent satellites, space shuttles, and everything imaginable into space to further America’s knowledge of the great abyss all while still studying on earth through telescopes and sensors. NASA is a government owned, operated, and funded association. NASA’s budget from years past starting from 1958 till 2012 has been, in total, around $560 billion. Unfortunately, due to current economic crisis, President Obama has granted NASA a mere $17.7 Billion for 2013 which is $59 million less than last year [2]. NASA is by far the most respected, revered, and well known agency in the world. NASA’s accomplishments is a very long list but there are some more notable than others. The first and most stunning would be when NASA entered America in the Space Race in 1958 with Explorer 1 which was used to study the earth’s orbit [3]. 1961-Freedom 7, Alan Shepard was the first American to orbit Earth. This mission set the precedent for future manned missions. A true milestone in humankind most likely the most important of them all Apollo 11, the moon landing, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Some time passed than the true power of mankind’s ingenuity was shown when the crew of Apollo 13 landed back on earth safely in 1970. The Hubble telescope was a huge success when they first started getting detailed photos of the cosmos in 1990 [3]. Years later Chandra Telescope used X-Ray rather than light to record images. Chandra captured an image of a Super-Massive black hole in 1999. Finally 2012 and 2013 come around and the Mars rover has made a huge discovery that has been said will be, “one for the history books.”[3]

References:

[1] Wilson, Jim. "NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration." NASA. Brian Dunbar,
25 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 Jan. 2013.
[2] Wall, Mike. "Obama 's 2013 NASA Budget Request Shifts Funds from Mars to Space Tech."
Space.com, 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 16 Jan. 2013.
[3] "NASA 's Greatest Accomplishments (Photos)." Examiner.com. Examiner Editorial Team, 27
Nov. 2012. Web. 16 Jan. 2013.

References: [1] Wilson, Jim. "NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration." NASA. Brian Dunbar, 25 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 Jan. 2013. [2] Wall, Mike. "Obama 's 2013 NASA Budget Request Shifts Funds from Mars to Space Tech." Space.com, 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 16 Jan. 2013. [3] "NASA 's Greatest Accomplishments (Photos)." Examiner.com. Examiner Editorial Team, 27 Nov. 2012. Web. 16 Jan. 2013.