Showing 1 - 10 of 25

Story Restarting the Apollo 13 Command Module IMU Posted on Apr 17, 2020

Space historian Paul Ceruzzi looks at a less well-known detail of the Apollo 13 mission: the Inertial Measurement Unit, which was essential to ensuring the safe return of the astronauts after an explosion damaged the service module on the way to the Moon. 

Topics: Apollo program Spacecraft Technology and Engineering
Story Reflecting on Apollo 13 Posted on Apr 17, 2020

Deputy director Chris Browne reflects on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission.

Topics: Spaceflight Apollo program Human spaceflight Spacecraft
Story Visual Information and Apollo 13 Posted on Apr 16, 2020

Space history curator Jennifer Levasseur examines photographs taken during the Apollo 13 mission and how they helped NASA understand what went wrong with the service module.

Topics: Spaceflight Apollo program Human spaceflight
Story How Gene Kranz’s Plainest Vest Became His Most Famous Posted on Apr 15, 2020

Curator Margaret Weitekamp looks at the history and significance of one of our most iconic artifacts from the mission: Gene Kranz's white vest.

Topics: Spaceflight Apollo program People
Story Calculating Trajectories and Breaking Boundaries During Apollo Posted on Sep 12, 2019

In the late 1960s, Poppy Northcutt was a return-to-Earth specialist with TRW, working on a contract with NASA on one of the most exciting adventures of the 20th century: humanity’s quest for the Moon. With computer programming skills and a degree in mathematics, she worked with her team at TRW on the development of the return-to-Earth program. And she became the first woman in Mission Control.

Topics: Spaceflight Apollo program Human spaceflight People Women Records and Firsts
Story Nothing Says Welcome Home like the Goodyear Blimp Posted on Jul 26, 2019

On September 6, 1969, Neil Armstrong was welcomed home with a parade in his hometown of Wapakoneta, Ohio, with flags, banners, Bob Hope, and the Goodyear Blimp.

Topics: Aviation Apollo program Balloons Airships
Story Neil Armstrong and the X-15 Posted on Jul 23, 2019

Before Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon and before he flew on Gemini 8, he was a NASA test pilot. Noted for his engineering excellence and technical capability as a pilot, Armstrong became one of only 12 pilots to fly the ultimate experimental aircraft – the North American X-15.

Topics: Aviation Military aviation Apollo program People
Story Apollo Playlist Part 2: Music Inside Apollo, Musical Critique from Outside Apollo Posted on Jul 22, 2019

In this blog celebrating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, we explore how the astronauts listened to music during the mission, what was on their playlists, and musical critiques of the Apollo program.

Topics: Apollo program Human spaceflight Society and Culture
Story Innovation That Echoes for Eternity Posted on Jul 22, 2019

In this guest blog from Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, Roy Avezedo reflects on Raytheon's role in the Apollo 11 mission and what comes next.

Topics: Spaceflight Apollo program Technology and Engineering
Story Apollo Memorabilia: Command Module Handbag Posted on Jul 20, 2019

As the Museum celebrates the anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, we also celebrate some of the unique pieces of memorabilia created to mark that human achievement. In addition to the pins, patches, buttons, medals, matchbooks, sweatshirts, and commemorative plates the Smithsonian holds in the national collection, this unique ladies handbag is one of my favorites.

Topics: Spaceflight Apollo program Human spaceflight Society and Culture