Title: Outline the history of the U.S. space program and international space program.
Course: Aerospace Technology I (21055-I) > Section: Exploring Space Systems

Outline should include

- the major milestones and influences on the advancement of the U.S. space program, including NASA missions (e.g., the Apollo program, Project Gemini, Project Mercury, Skylab, space shuttle operations, Space Station Freedom, planetary exploration)
- significant international historical events and technological advances (e.g., International Space Station, Apollo-Soyuz)
- space disasters and lessons learned in the aftermath (e.g., Challenger, Apollo 13)
- the U.S. space program’s current role in shaping the commercialization of space flight.

Teacher Resource:

20 Inventions We Wouldn't Have Without Space Travel, Jet Propulsion Lab, NASA

Process/Skill Questions:

- What roles did the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs play in putting humans on the moon?
- What role has disaster played in the advancement of the space program?
- Who were American space pioneers?
- What effect did the advent of the space shuttle have on the space program?
- What are examples of items developed for space exploration in everyday use?
- What decision making processes led to the Challenger disaster?