NASA
Nasa: Astronaut Biography: m.lopez Alegria
Read biographical facts about this Spanish-born astronaut who is the veteran of three space flights including the Columbia, the Discovery, and the Endeavour.
Social Studies Help Center
Social Studies Help Center: The Kennedy Administration
This brief overview of the Kennedy Administration mentions the achievements of the administration, especially in domestic affairs, and the setbacks, especially in foreign policy.
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: Space Race: Nasa Space Program
Learning module with multi-media resources, activities and videos on NASA, the Kennedy space program that dominated the 1960s.
Other
Vibrationdata.com: Animal Astronauts
Information about some of the early animal astronauts who were launched into space to help determine the effects of space travel on human beings.
NASA
Nasa: Sputnik and the Dawn of the Space Age
This site from NASA describes the impact that Sputnik had in triggering the space race.
NASA
Nasa: Tests Versus Time in the Race for Space
This NASA site offers a good description of the ongoing space race during the Kennedy administration, discussing the "nip and tuck" of the Soviet-U.S. race. Also includes a description of Kennedy's new special assistant for science and...
NASA
Nasa: Aeronautical/astronautical Events of January March 1961
This NASA site offers a timeline of significant events in the space race during this brief frame of time, with some discussion of the prestige involved.
NASA
Nasa: The First Lunar Landing
This site from NASA is extensive and contains a deep supply of information about the historical moon landing. Click on "Table of Contents" to proceed through the site. Wonderful images!
NASA
Nasa History in Brief
Learn about the history of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the programs it started.
National Women's Hall of Fame
National Women's Hall of Fame: Eileen Collins
This short biography tracks the life of Eileen Collins, first woman to pilot a space shuttle and command a space shuttle mission.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Start of the Space Race
Looks at the USSR's launch of Sputnik and the galvanizing effect it had on America's motivation to fund aerospace research. NASA was soon formed and more funding was put in place for public education in the sciences and math.
Ohio State University
Friendship 7: A 40 Year Legacy
Online exhibit that celebrates the flight of Friendship 7 manned by astronaut, John Glenn.
NASA
Nasa Star Child: Space Travel (Level 1)
Learn about the history of space travel. Audio content is included as well as vocabulary words linked to a glossary of terms.
Curated OER
National Park Service: America's Space Program Exploring a New Frontier
This site includes a lesson for teachers to use when teaching about America's space program. Also included is the history of the space program, maps, readings, images of the space program, and benefits that resulted from space research.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library: John F. Kennedy Becomes 35th President
Read about the inauguration of John F. Kennedy as 35th president of the United States. In addition, find out about the issues he dealt with in his term of office.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: America's First Spaceman
Use this site to learn all about the first man to reach the edge of space, paving the way for the space exploration program. Related links available.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Johnson's Task, Unify Space Program
Russia was ahead in the "space race" in 1961. In this article, the Library of Congress discusses how President Kennedy assigned Lyndon Johnson the task of uniting the different parts of the U.S. space program into NASA.
A&E Television
History.com: Nasa Introduces America's First Astronauts
On April 9, 1959, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) introduces America's first astronauts to the press. Learn more about Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper Jr., John H. Glenn Jr., Virgil (Gus) Grissom, Walter...
PBS
Pbs American Experience: The Women Who Brought Us the Moon
Thousands of women began their careers at NASA as computers, before the advent of electronic machines. A diverse and potent force in space exploration, their calculations were ultimately responsible for sending astronauts to the moon.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Space Program
Read about the emerging space program during the Kennedy administration.
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Sputnik's Legacy
Easy-to-read history of the Soviet satellite launch that began the race for space between the Soviet Union and United States. Click on "next" at the bottom to advance to the next page.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: A Small Step to the Moon, a Giant Leap to Mars
Read the article or listen to the story of remembrances of the Apollo program, especially Apollo 11. Explains some of the challenges of sending astronauts to Mars.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Quiz: Space Race of the Cold War for Kids
History Questions: Space Race Quiz, Test, and WebQuest
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Nasa Timeline
This interesting NASA timeline provides the dates and facts about the important events and people involved in space exploration in the United States.