#nasa history

NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was established on July 29, 1958, by the National Aeronautics and Space Act signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Its formation was a response to the Soviet Union's successful launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, in 1957.

NASA's history is rich with significant milestones:

1. **Mercury Program (1961-1963):** NASA's first human spaceflight program, which included the historic flight of Alan Shepard, the first American in space.

2. **Gemini Program (1961-1966):** Focused on developing techniques for space travel, rendezvous, and docking, setting the stage for the Apollo missions.

3. **Apollo Program (1961-1972):** The iconic moon-landing missions, with Apollo 11 in 1969 marking the historic moment when humans first set foot on the lunar surface.

4. **Space Shuttle Program (1981-2011):** The era of reusable spacecraft, designed to carry astronauts and cargo to