Page 17 - Intro to Space Sciences Spacecraft Applications
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4 Introduction to Space Sciences and Spacecraft Applications
Figure 1-2. Launch of Alan Shepard, America's first man in space, on the Mer-
cury-Redstone-3 mission, May 6,1961. (Photograph courtesy of NASA.)
In an effort to consolidate and accelerate America's efforts in space,
Congress authorized the establishment of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) in July 1958. The new agency absorbed
the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) as well as
many military space projects, including their personnel and facilities.
Both countries continued to launch larger and more sophisticated
