In this rare image taken on July 19, 2013, the wide-angle camera on NASA's Cassini spacecraft has captured Saturn's rings and our planet Earth and its moon in the same frame. It is only one footprint in a mosaic of 33 footprints covering the entire Saturn ring system (including Saturn itself). At each footprint, images were taken in different spectral filters for a total of 323 images: some were taken for scientific purposes and some to produce a natural color mosaic. This is the only wide-angle footprint that has the Earth-moon system in it. The dark side of Saturn, its bright limb, the main rings, the F ring, and the G and E rings are clearly seen; the limb of Saturn and the F ring are overexposed. The "breaks" in the brightness of Saturn's limb are due to the shadows of the rings on the globe of Saturn, preventing sunlight from shining through the atmosphere in those regions. The E and G rings have been brightened for better visibility. Earth, which is 898 million miles (1.44 billion kilometers) away in this image, appears as a blue dot at center right; the moon can be seen as a fainter protrusion off its right side. An arrow indicates their location in the annotated version. (The two are clearly seen as separate objects in the accompanying composite image PIA14949.) The other bright dots nearby are stars. This is only the third time ever that Earth has been imaged from the outer solar system. The acquisition of this image, along with the accompanying composite narrow- and wide-angle image of Earth and the moon and the full mosaic from which both are taken, marked the first time that inhabitants of Earth knew in advance that their planet was being imaged. That opportunity allowed people around the world to join together in social events to celebrate the occasion. This view looks toward the unilluminated side of the rings from about 20 degrees below the ring plane. Images taken using red, green and blue spectral filters were combined to create this natural color view. The images were obtained with the Cassini spacecraft wide-angle camera on July 19, 2013 at a distance of approximately 753,000 miles (1.212 million kilometers) from Saturn, and approximately 898.414 million miles (1.445858 billion kilometers) from Earth. Image scale on Saturn is 43 miles (69 kilometers) per pixel; image scale on the Earth is 53,820 miles (86,620 kilometers) per pixel. The illuminated areas of neither Earth nor the Moon are resolved here. Consequently, the size of each "dot" is the same size that a point of light of comparable brightness would have in the wide-angle camera. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA17171

jsc2025e034457 (March 18, 2025) -- The official Artemis II mission crew patch. The Artemis II test flight begins when a mighty team launches the first crew of the Artemis generation. This patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars. Credit: NASA

ISS006-E-48523 (28 April 2003) --- A crescent moon (right) and the planet Venus were photographed by an Expedition six crewmember onboard the International Space Station (ISS). As a result of overexposure, the dark part of the moon’s terrain is visible, which is faintly lit by Earthshine (sunlight reflected from our planet onto the moon). Earth’s horizon is visible in the lower left portion of this image.

STS113-347-003 (23 November – 7 December 2002) --- View of the Space Shuttle Endeavour’s payload bay with the remote manipulator system (RMS) robotic arm in lower right frame. The blackness of space, Earth’s moon (upper right frame), and a thin slice of Earth’s horizon which runs vertically across the photograph, form the backdrop for this photograph.

The astronauts enter the spacecraft. After launch and Saturn V first-stage burnout and jettison, the S-II second stage ignites. The crew checks spacecraft systems in Earth orbit before the S-IVB third stage ignites the second time to send Apollo 11 to the Moon

ISS007-E-05379 (11 May 2003) --- The moon seems to be floating inside Earth’s atmosphere as it was photographed by an Expedition 7 crewmember onboard the International Space Station (ISS) while above Russia. It’s an illusion, of course. The moon is really a quarter of a million miles away. The picture is tricky because of its uneven lighting. The sun’s elevation angle is only 6 degrees. On the left side of the image, night is falling; on the right side, it’s still broad daylight. This gradient of sunlight is the key to the illusion.

ISS008-E-08950 (December 2003) --- A partial moon is visible in this view of Earth’s horizon and airglow, photographed by an Expedition 8 crewmember onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

ISS012-E-19253 (12 Feb. 2006) --- A full moon is visible in this view above Earth’s horizon and airglow, photographed by an Expedition 12 crewmember on the International Space Station.

ISS010-E-18582 (24 February 2005) --- A full moon is visible in this view above Earth’s horizon and airglow, photographed by an Expedition 10 crewmember on the International Space Station (ISS).

ISS012-E-19241 (12 Feb. 2006) --- A full moon is visible in this view above Earth’s horizon and airglow, photographed by an Expedition 12 crewmember on the International Space Station.

ISS008-E-08949 (December 2003) --- A partial moon is visible in this view of Earth’s horizon and airglow, photographed by an Expedition 8 crewmember on the International Space Station (ISS).

ISS030-E-028893 (9 Jan. 2012) --- One of a series of photos of the moon and Earth?s atmosphere as seen from the International Space Station over a period of time that covered a number of orbits by the orbital outpost.

ISS010-E-18585 (24 February 2005) --- A full moon is visible in this view above Earth’s horizon and airglow, photographed by an Expedition 10 crewmember on the International Space Station (ISS).

ISS030-E-028859 (9 Jan. 2012) --- One of a series of photos of the moon and Earth?s atmosphere as seen from the International Space Station over a period of time that covered a number of orbits by the orbital outpost.

ISS024-E-013819 (5 Sept. 2010) --- A last quarter crescent moon above Earth?s horizon is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 24 crew member on the International Space Station.

ISS030-E-028984 (9 Jan. 2012) --- One of a series of photos of the moon and Earth?s atmosphere as seen from the International Space Station over a period of time that covered a number of orbits by the orbital outpost.

ISS012-E-19244 (12 Feb. 2006) --- A full moon is visible in this view above Earth’s horizon and airglow, photographed by an Expedition 12 crewmember on the International Space Station.

ISS010-E-18583 (24 February 2005) --- A full moon is visible in this view above Earth’s horizon and airglow, photographed by an Expedition 10 crewmember on the International Space Station.

ISS030-E-028873 (9 Jan. 2012) --- One of a series of photos of the moon and Earth?s atmosphere as seen from the International Space Station over a period of time that covered a number of orbits by the orbital outpost.

ISS007-E-12046 (5 August 2003) --- A gibbous moon is visible in this view of Earth’s horizon and airglow, photographed by an Expedition 7 crewmember onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

This image depicts the Saturn V S-IVB (third) stage for the Apollo 10 mission being removed from the Beta Test Stand 1 after its acceptance test at the Douglas Aircraft Company's Sacramento Test Operations (SACTO) facility. After the S-II (second) stage dropped away, the S-IVB (third) stage was ignited and burned for about two minutes to place itself and the Apollo spacecraft into the desired Earth orbit. At the proper time during this Earth parking orbit, the S-IVB stage was re-ignited to speed the Apollo spacecraft to escape velocity injecting it and the astronauts into a moon trajectory. Developed and manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company in California, the S-IVB stage measures about 21.5 feet in diameter, about 58 feet in length, and powered by a single 200,000-pound-thrust J-2 engine with a re-start capability. The S-IVB stage was also used on the second stage of the Saturn IB launch vehicle.

After the S-II (second) stage dropped away, the S-IVB (third) stage ignited and burned for about two minutes to place itself and the Apollo spacecraft into the desired Earth orbit. At the proper time during this Earth parking orbit, the S-IVB stage was re-ignited to speed the Apollo spacecraft to escape velocity, injecting it and the astronauts into a moon trajectory. Developed and manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company in Huntington, California, the S-IVB stage measures about 21.5 feet in diameter, about 58 feet in length and is powered by a single 200,000-pound-thrust J-2 engine with a re-start capability. The S-IVB stage was also used on the second stage of the Saturn IB launch vehicle. The fully-assembled S-IVB (third) stage for the AS-503 (Apollo 8 mission) launch vehicle is pictured in the Douglas' vertical checkout building.

This cutaway illustration shows the Saturn V S-IVB (third) stage with the callouts of its major components. When the S-II (second) stage of the powerful Saturn V rocket burnt out and was separated the remaining units approached orbit around the Earth. Injection into the desired orbit was attaineded as the S-IVB (third stage) was ignited and burnt. The S-IVB stage was powered by a single 200,000-pound thrust J-2 engine and had a re-start capability built in for its J-2 engine. The S-IVB restarted to speed the Apollo spacecraft to escape velocity injecting it and the astronauts into a moon trajectory.

ISS020-E-14200 (FOR RELEASE 21 JULY 2009) --- A moon rock brought to Earth by Apollo 11, humans? first landing on the moon in July 1969, is shown as it floats aboard the International Space Station. Part of Earth can be seen through the window. The 3.6 billion year-old lunar sample was flown to the station aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-119 in April 2009 in honor of the July 2009 40th anniversary of the historic first moon landing. The rock, lunar sample 10072, was flown to the station to serve as a symbol of the nation?s resolve to continue the exploration of space. It will be returned on shuttle mission STS-128 to be publicly displayed.

ISS020-E-14196 (FOR RELEASE 21 JULY 2009) --- A moon rock brought to Earth by Apollo 11, humans? first landing on the moon in July 1969, is shown as it floats aboard the International Space Station. Part of Earth can be seen through the window. The 3.6 billion year-old lunar sample was flown to the station aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-119 in April 2009 in honor of the July 2009 40th anniversary of the historic first moon landing. The rock, lunar sample 10072, was flown to the station to serve as a symbol of the nation?s resolve to continue the exploration of space. It will be returned on shuttle mission STS-128 to be publicly displayed.

ISS020-E-014193 (FOR RELEASE 21 JULY 2009) --- A moon rock brought to Earth by Apollo 11, humans? first landing on the moon in July 1969, is shown as it floats aboard the International Space Station. Part of Earth can be seen through the window. The 3.6 billion year-old lunar sample was flown to the station aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-119 in April 2009 in honor of the July 2009 40th anniversary of the historic first moon landing. The rock, lunar sample 10072, was flown to the station to serve as a symbol of the nation?s resolve to continue the exploration of space. It will be returned on shuttle mission STS-128 to be publicly displayed.

ISS020-E-007383 (FOR RELEASE 21 JULY 2009) --- A moon rock brought to Earth by Apollo 11, humans? first landing on the moon in July 1969, is shown as it floats aboard the International Space Station. Part of Earth and a section of a station solar panel can be seen through the window. The 3.6 billion year-old lunar sample was flown to the station aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-119 in April 2009 in honor of the July 2009 40th anniversary of the historic first moon landing. The rock, lunar sample 10072, was flown to the station to serve as a symbol of the nation?s resolve to continue the exploration of space. It will be returned on shuttle mission STS-128 to be publicly displayed.

ISS020-E-038138 (3 Sept. 2009) --- A full moon is visible in this view above Earth?s horizon, photographed by a crew member from the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-128) remains docked with the station. A portion of a station solar array wing is at left.

ISS020-E-038139 (3 Sept. 2009) --- A full moon is visible in this view above Earth?s horizon, photographed by a crew member from the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-128) remains docked with the station. A portion of a station solar array wing is at left.

S114-E-7558 (6 August 2005) --- This view featuring a distant Moon and a line of airglow of Earth’s atmosphere was photographed by an STS-114 crewmember onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery after departure from the international space station.

ISS006-E-21378 (18 January 2003) --- A portion of the Canadarm2, or Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), was photographed by one of the Expedition 6 crewmembers onboard the International Space Station (ISS). Just above Canadarm2’s elbow are the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters. These seven stars, arranged like a little dipper, are just the brightest members of a cluster of more than 3000 stars lying 400 light years from Earth. Between the robotic arm and the Pleiades is Earth itself. Below, the cloudy landscape is lit by a nearly-full Moon (out of frame). Above, the edge of Earth’s atmosphere is defined by a layer of glowing air—a brownish-yellow band of light stretching all the way across the image. And finally, just under Canadarm’s elbow, is a streak of green—the Aurora Borealis, also known as “northern lights”.

The third stage (S-IVB) of the Saturn V launch vehicle for the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission is hoisted in the vehicle assembly building at the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for mating with the second stage (S-II). The vehicle, designated as AS-506, projected the first lunar landing mission, Apollo 11, on a trajectory for the Moon. The Apollo 11 mission launched from KSC in Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Astronauts onboard included Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, “Columbia”, piloted by Collins, remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, “Eagle’’, carrying astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin, landed on the Moon. On July 20, 1969, Armstrong was the first human to ever stand on the lunar surface, followed by Aldrin. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. With the success of Apollo 11, the national objective to land men on the Moon and return them safely to Earth had been accomplished.

S68-55815 (24 Dec. 1968) --- This is how the surface of the moon looked from an altitude of approximately 60 miles as photographed by a television camera onboard the Apollo 8 spacecraft. This is Apollo 8's third live television transmission back to Earth. At the time this picture was made, the Apollo 8 spacecraft, with astronauts Frank Borman, James A. Lovell Jr., and William A. Anders aboard, was making its second revolution of the moon.

S68-55816 (24 Dec. 1968) --- This is how the surface of the moon looked from an altitude of approximately 60 miles as photographed by a television camera aboard the Apollo 8 spacecraft. This is Apollo 8's third live television transmission back to Earth. At the time this picture was made, the Apollo 8 spacecraft, with astronauts Frank Borman, James A. Lovell Jr., and William A. Anders aboard, was making its second revolution of the moon.

S68-51304 (December 1968) --- North American Rockwell artist's concept illustrating a phase of the scheduled Apollo 8 lunar orbit mission. Here, the Apollo 8 spacecraft Command and Service Modules (CSM), still attached to the Saturn V (S-IVB) third stage, heads for the moon at a speed of about 24,300 miles per hour. The trajectory, computed from the Saturn V's third stage instrumentation unit, provides a "free return" to Earth around the moon.

This is a view of the Saturn V S-IVB (third) stage for the AS-209 (Apollo-Soyuz test project backup vehicle) on a transporter in the right foreground, and the S-IVB stage for AS-504 (Apollo 9 mission) being installed in the Beta Test Stand 1 at the SACTO facility in California. After the S-II (second) stage dropped away, the S-IVB (third) stage ignited and burned for about two minutes to place itself and the Apollo spacecraft into the desired Earth orbit. At the proper time during this Earth parking orbit, the S-IVB stage was re-ignited to speed the Apollo spacecraft to escape velocity and inject it and the astronauts into a moon trajectory. Developed and manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company in California, the S-IVB stage measures about 21.5 feet in diameter, about 58 feet in length, and is powered by a single 200,000-pound-thrust J-2 engine with a re-start capability. The S-IVB stage was also used on the second stage of the Saturn IB launch vehicle.

Employees at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida take photos of the official Artemis II mission crew insignia projected on the exterior of the spaceport’s Vehicle Assembly Building on Friday, April 4, 2025. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

The official Artemis II mission crew insignia is projected on the exterior of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, April 4, 2025. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

Employees at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida take photos of the official Artemis II mission crew insignia projected on the exterior of the spaceport’s Vehicle Assembly Building on Friday, April 4, 2025. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

The official Artemis II mission crew insignia is projected on the exterior of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, April 4, 2025. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

The official Artemis II mission crew insignia is projected on the exterior of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, April 4, 2025. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

The official Artemis II mission crew insignia is projected on the exterior of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, April 4, 2025. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

The official Artemis II mission crew insignia is projected on the exterior of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, April 4, 2025. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

Employees at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida take photos of the official Artemis II mission crew insignia projected on the exterior of the spaceport’s Vehicle Assembly Building on Friday, April 4, 2025. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

Employees at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida take photos of the official Artemis II mission crew insignia projected on the exterior of the spaceport’s Vehicle Assembly Building on Friday, April 4, 2025. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

Employees at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida take photos of the official Artemis II mission crew insignia projected on the exterior of the spaceport’s Vehicle Assembly Building on Friday, April 4, 2025. The patch designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

ISS050-S-001 (01/27/2016) --- The Expedition 50 patch encompasses the spirit of human exploration from previous missions to the Moon to current exploration on the International Space Station (ISS). The red border symbolizes future human exploration of Mars – the Red Planet. Our home planet Earth is prominent in the patch to remind us that everything done on the mission is to help people on Earth – “Off the Earth, For the Earth.” The background colors of red, white, and blue represent the national colors of all six crewmembers – United States, Russia, and France. The six stars represent the families of all six crewmembers. Finally, the ‘50’ signifies the 50th Expedition to the ISS.

AS04-01-580 (9 Nov. 1967) --- Earth as viewed from 10,000 miles. In 1969, the Apollo 4 (Spacecraft 017/Saturn 501) unmanned test flight made a great ellipse around Earth as a test of the translunar motors and of the high speed entry required of a manned flight returning from the moon. A 70mm camera was programmed to look out a window toward Earth, and take a series of photographs from "high apogee". Coastal Brazil, Atlantic Ocean, West Africa, Antarctica, looking west. This photograph was made when the Apollo 4 spacecraft, still attached to the S-IVB (third) stage, was orbiting Earth at an altitude of 9,544 miles.

A replica of the Saturn V rocket that propelled man from the confines of Earth's gravity to the surface of the Moon was built on the grounds of the U. S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. in time for the 30th arniversary celebration of that historic occasion. Marshall Space Flight Center and its team of German rocket scientists headed by Dr. Wernher von Braun were responsible for the design and development of the Saturn V rocket. Pictured are MSFC's current Center Director Art Stephenson, Alabama Congressman Bud Cramer, NASA Administrator Dan Goldin, and director of the U. S. Space and Rocket Center Mike Wing during the dedication ceremony.

S69-39588 (20 July 1969) --- Dr. Garry Latham, with the Lamont Geological Observatory, studies seismometer tracings in the Mission Control Center?s ASEP control room. The electronic data was coming from the Passive Seismic Experiments Package which the Apollo 11 astronauts had just deployed on the surface of the moon. Dr. Lamont is the principal investigator for the PSEP, a component of the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package (EASEP). PSEP uses three long-period seismometers and one short-period vertical seismometer for measuring meteoroid impacts and moonquakes. Such data will be useful in determining the interior structure of the moon; for example, does the moon have a core and mantle like Earth? Here, the center trace shows evidence of activity on the moon. The PSEP was sensitive enough to pick up the footsteps of astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. as they walked on the moon.

ISS031-S-001 (September 2011) --- Thin crescents along the horizons of Earth and its moon depict International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 31. The shape of the patch represents a view of our galaxy. The black background symbolizes the research into dark matter, one of the scientific objectives of Expedition 31. At the heart of the patch are Earth, its moon, Mars, and asteroids, the focus of current and future exploration. The ISS is shown in an orbit around Earth, with a collection of stars for the Expedition 30 and 31 crews. The small stars symbolize the visiting vehicles that will dock with the complex during this expedition. The NASA insignia design for shuttle and space station flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the forms of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, the change will be publicly announced. Photo credit: NASA and Its International Partners

ISS039-E-009160 (2 April 2014) --- This nighttime view featuring the aurora borealis, the moon and Moscow was photographed by an Expedition 39 crew member on the International Space Station. A thin green line of the aurora borealis crosses the top of this image. The moon appears as a white disc just above the aurora. Airglow appears as a blue-white cusp on Earth's limb. Russia's capital city Moscow makes a splash of yellow (lower left), with its easily recognized radial pattern of highways. Other cities are Nizhni Novgorod (lower center) 400 kilometers from Moscow, St. Petersburg (left) 625 kilometers from Moscow, and Finland?s capital city Helsinki.

ISS038-S-001 (April 2013) --- As the International Space Station (ISS) has become a stepping stone to future space exploration, the Expedition 38 mission patch design paints a visual roadmap of exploration beyond low Earth orbit, most prominently represented by the design?s flowing Expedition 38 mission numbers that wrap around Earth, the moon and Mars. Just as the sun is a guiding light in the galaxy, the ISS illuminates the bottom of the design as it is a shining beacon of the advancement of science, knowledge, and technology carried out aboard the Space Station. To visually capture the idea of the ISS being a foundation for infinite discovery, the space station?s iconic solar arrays span upwards, providing the number 38 and its exploration roadmap a symbolic pedestal to rest on. Finally, the overall use of red, white, and blue in the design acknowledges the flags of the countries of origin for Expedition 38?s crew ? the United States, Russia, and Japan. The NASA insignia design for space shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the forms of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, the change will be publicly announced. Photo credit: NASA

S72-53952 (November 1972) --- The Traverse Gravimeter Experiment (S-199), with cover removed, which will be used by the Apollo 17 crewmen at the Taurus-Littrow landing site. The purposes of this experiment are to make a high accuracy relative survey of the lunar gravitational field in the lunar landing area and to make an Earth-moon gravity tie. Specific experiment objectives related to these purposes are to: (1) measure the value of gravity, relative to the value at a lunar base station, at selected known locations along the lunar traverse; (2) measure the value of gravity at a known point on the lunar surface (base station) relative to the value of gravity at a known point on Earth.

This computer animation illustrates how Pluto's moon Nix changes its spin unpredictably as it orbits the &quot;double planet&quot; Pluto-Charon. The view is from the surface of Pluto as the moon circles the Pluto-Charon system. This is a time-lapse view of the moon, compressing four years of motion into two minutes, with one complete orbit of Pluto-Charon every two seconds. (The apparent star movement rate is greatly slowed down for illustration purposes.) The animation is based on dynamical models of spinning bodies in complex gravitational fields — like the field produced by Pluto and Charon's motion about each other. Astronomers used this simulation to try to understand the unpredictable changes in reflected light from Nix as it orbits Pluto-Charon. They also found that Pluto's moon Hydra also undergoes chaotic spin. The football shape of both moons contributes to their wild motion. The consequences are that if you lived on either moon, you could not predict the time or direction the sun would rise the next morning. (The moon is too small for Hubble to resolve surface features, and so the surface textures used here are purely for illustration purposes.) Credit: NASA, ESA, M. Showalter (SETI Institute), and G. Bacon (STScI) Read more: <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-hubble-finds-pluto-s-moons-tumbling-in-absolute-chaos" rel="nofollow">www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-hubble-finds-pluto-s-mo...</a> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagrid.me/nasagoddard/?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

Artist Concepts, Apollo Mission: S66-10983: Ascent Stage Liftoff (S66-05094) S66-10984: Orientation During Ascent Phase (S66-05098) S66-10985: Midcourse Coast (S66-05113) S66-10986: Survey of Landing Site (S66-05117) S66-10987: Lunar Module (LM) Jettison (S66-05089) S66-10988: Trans-Earth Injection (S66-05090) S66-10989: Exploration on Lunar Surface Apollo Surface Lunar Exploration Experiment (ASLEP) S66-10990: Liftoff (S66-05125) S66-10991: Command Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) Separation (S66-05101 N/F) S66-10992: Touchdown on Lunar Surface (S66-05115) S66-10993: Transfer Orbit Insertion (S66-05111) S66-10994: Drogue Parachute Deployment S66-10995: S-IC Stage Separation S-II Stage Thrusting (S66-05099) S66-10996: Jettison Launch Escape System (S66-05114) S66-10997: Main Parachute Deployment (S66-05091) S66-10998: Mid-course correction (S66-05088) S66-10999: Lunar Orbit Insertion (S66-05086) S66-11000: Command Service Module (CSM)-LM Docked in LM Adapter-S-IVB (S66-06526) S66-11001: Docking and Separation of spacecraft from S-IVB (S66-05107) S66-11002: Final Descent (S66-05096) S66-11003: Entry into Earth Atmosphere (S66-05096) S66-11004: Deploy S/C LM Adapter-Separate CSM from LM-S-IVB (S66-06525 & 05105) S66-11005: Turnaround of CSM (S66-05104) S66-11006: S-II Stage Separation S-IVB Stage Thrusting (S66-05102) S66-11007: LM Ascent CSM Docked (S66-05100) S66-11008: Midcourse Correction SPS Mode (S66-05106) S66-11009: Earth Orbit Insertion of S-IVB & S/C (S66-05092) S66-11010: Trans-lunar Injection (S66-05116) S66-11011: LM Descent (S66-05110) S66-11012: S-IVB Stage Operations (S66-05112 N/F) S66-11013: Spacecraft Recovery (S66-05126) S66-11014: Lunar Orbit (S66-05103) S66-11015: CSM-LM Docking (S66-05095) S66-11016: Entry CM (S66-5109) S66-11017: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing (S66-08486) S66-11018: Midcourse Corrections to Lunar Landing w/Overlay (S66-05083) S66-11019: Earth Launch Phase w/Overlay (S66-08485 & 05119) S66-11020: Earth Launch Phase (S66-08487 & S66-05084) S66-11022: Apollo Vehicles (S66-05127) S66-11024: Transfer to LM (S66-05082) S66-11025: Lunar Launch Phase S66-11027: Trans-earth Separation of C/M from S/M-C/M return to Earth (S66-05097) S66-11028: CSM-LM Separation, LM Descent to Moon (S66-05108) MSC, Houston, TX Also available in B&W 12/1965 - 06/1966

The instrument unit for the Saturn V launch vehicle, AS-506, used to propel the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission, is lowered into place atop the third (S-IVB) stage in the vehicle assembly building at the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Designed by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), the instrument unit served as the Saturn’s “nerve center” providing guidance and control, command and sequence of vehicle functions, telemetry, and environmental control. The Apollo 11 mission launched from KSC in Florida via the MSFC developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Astronauts onboard included Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, “Columbia”, piloted by Collins, remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, “Eagle’’, carrying astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin, landed on the Moon. On July 20, 1969, Armstrong was the first human to ever stand on the lunar surface, followed by Aldrin. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. With the success of Apollo 11, the national objective to land men on the Moon and return them safely to Earth had been accomplished

Members of NASA leadership, leadership with the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems Program, and contractor Amentum Services, Inc. leadership pose for a group photo underneath a banner displaying the Artemis II mission insignia outside High Bay 3 at the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The design designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

Members of NASA leadership, leadership with the agency’s Exploration Ground Systems Program, and contractor Amentum Services, Inc. leadership pose for a group photo underneath a banner displaying the Artemis II mission insignia outside High Bay 3 at the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The design designates the mission as “AII,” signifying not only the second major flight of the Artemis campaign, but also an endeavor of discovery that seeks to explore for all and by all. Framed in Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise photo, the scene of the Earth and the Moon represents the dual nature of human spaceflight, both equally compelling: The Moon represents our exploration destination, focused on discovery of the unknown. The Earth represents home, focused on the perspective we gain when we look back at our shared planet and learn what it is to be uniquely human. The orbit around Earth highlights the ongoing exploration missions that have enabled Artemis to set sights on a long-term presence on the Moon and soon, Mars.

This is a cutaway illustration of the Saturn V launch vehicle with callouts of the major components. The Saturn V is the largest and most powerful launch vehicle developed in the United States. It was a three stage rocket, 363 feet in height, used for sending American astronauts to the moon and for placing the Skylab in Earth orbit. The Saturn V was designed to perform Earth orbital missions through the use of the first two stages, while all three stages were used for lunar expeditions. The S-IC stage (first stage) was powered by five F- engines, which burned kerosene and liquid oxygen to produce more than 7,500,000 pounds of thrust. The S-II (second) stage was powered by five J-2 engines, that burned liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen and produced 1,150,000 pounds thrust. The S-IVB (third) stage used one J-2 engine, producing 230,000 pounds of thrust, with a re-start capability. The Marshall Space Flight Center and its contractors designed, developed, and assembled the Saturn V launch vehicle stages.

STS053-105-002 (2-9 Dec. 1992) --- A crew member onboard the space shuttle Discovery used a 70mm camera to capture this scene of a full Moon backdropped against the blackness of space. Part of Discovery's aft cargo bay and clouds over an ocean complete the scene.

ISS041-S-001 (July 2013) --- The Expedition 41 crew members have released their patch and have written some text to go along with it: ?Portraying the road of human exploration into our vastly unknown universe, all elements of the Expedition 41 patch build from the foundation, our Earth, to the stars beyond our solar system. The focus of our six-month expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) is Earth and its inhabitants as well as a scientific look out into our universe. The distinguishing ISS solar arrays reach onward and serve as the central element, with the icon of an atom underneath representing the multitude of research onboard that will bring new discoveries for the benefit of humanity. The sun is rising over Earth?s horizon, spreading its light along the road of human exploration. Equipped with the knowledge and inspiration gained from ISS, our successful multinational cooperation will lead human space exploration to the moon, Mars, and ultimately, the stars. We are Expedition 41. Join us for the adventure.? Photo credit: NASA Note: The NASA insignia design for shuttle and space station flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced.

Two workers are dwarfed by the five J-2 engines of the Saturn V second stage (S-II) as they make final inspections prior to a static test firing by North American Space Division. These five hydrogen -fueled engines produced one million pounds of thrust, and placed the Apollo spacecraft into earth orbit before departing for the moon. The towering 363-foot Saturn V was a multi-stage, multi-engine launch vehicle standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Altogether, the Saturn V engines produced as much power as 85 Hoover Dams.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Apollo 16 Lunar Module Pilot Charlie Duke addresses the audience at the 40th anniversary celebration of Apollo 16's lunar landing, which occurred April 20, 1972. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation hosted the soiree at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Saturn V Center. The 11-day mission featured three moonwalks, including a nearly 17-mile lunar rover road trip to collect more than 200 pounds of moon rocks to return to Earth. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Chamberland

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong addresses the audience at the 40th anniversary celebration of Apollo 16's lunar landing, which occurred April 20, 1972. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation hosted the soiree at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Saturn V Center. The 11-day Apollo 16 mission featured three moonwalks, including a nearly 17-mile lunar rover road trip to collect more than 200 pounds of moon rocks to return to Earth. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Chamberland

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Apollo 8 Command Module Pilot and Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell addresses the audience at the 40th anniversary celebration of Apollo 16's lunar landing, which occurred April 20, 1972. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation hosted the soiree at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Saturn V Center. The 11-day Apollo 16 mission featured three moonwalks, including a nearly 17-mile lunar rover road trip to collect more than 200 pounds of moon rocks to return to Earth. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Chamberland

A replica of the Saturn V rocket that propelled man from the confines of Earth's gravity to the surface of the Moon was built on the grounds of the U. S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. in time for the 30th arniversary celebration of that historic occasion. Marshall Space Flight Center and its team of German rocket scientists headed by Dr. Wernher von Braun were responsible for the design and development of the Saturn V rocket. Pictured are MSFC's current Center Director Art Stephenson, Alabama Congressman Bud Cramer, and NASA Administrator Dan Goldin during the dedication ceremony.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation helps celebrate the 40th anniversary of Apollo 16's lunar landing, which occurred April 20, 1972, with a soiree at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Saturn V Center. Addressing the audience is Apollo 8 Command Module Pilot and Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell. The 11-day Apollo 16 mission featured three moonwalks, including a nearly 17-mile lunar rover road trip to collect more than 200 pounds of moon rocks to return to Earth. Photo credit: NASA/Chris Chamberland

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The Apollo 11 Saturn V space vehicle climbs toward orbit after liftoff from Pad 39A at 9:32 a.m. EDT. In two-and-a-half minutes of powered flight, the S-IC booster lifts the vehicle to an altitude of about 39 miles approximately 55 miles downrange. This photo was taken with a 70-mm telescopic camera mounted in an Air force EC-135N plane. Onboard are astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. During the planned eight-day mission, Armstrong and Aldrin will descend in a Lunar Module (LM) to the Moon's surface while Collins orbits overhead in the Command Module. The two astronauts are to spend 22 hours on the Moon, including two-and-one-half hours outside the LM. They will gather samples of lunar material and will deploy scientific experiments that will transmit data about the lunar environment. They will rejoin Collins in the Command Module for the return trip to Earth.

After decades of uncertainty, the Apollo 16 S-IVB impact site on the lunar surface has been identified. S-IVBs were portions of the Saturn V rockets that brought astronauts to the moon. The site was identified in imagery from the high-resolution LROC Narrow Angle Camera aboard NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Beginning with Apollo 13, the S-IVB rocket stages were deliberately impacted on the lunar surface after they were used. Seismometers placed on the moon by earlier Apollo astronauts measured the energy of these impacts to shed light on the internal lunar structure. Locations of the craters that the boosters left behind were estimated from tracking data collected just prior to the impacts. Earlier in the LRO mission, the Apollo 13, 14, 15 and 17 impact sites were successfully identified, but Apollo 16's remained elusive. In the case of Apollo 16, radio contact with the booster was lost before the impact, so the location was only poorly known. Positive identification of the Apollo 16 S-IVB site took more time than the other four impact craters because the location ended up differing by about 30 km (about 19 miles) from the Apollo-era tracking estimate. (For comparison, the other four S-IVB craters were all within 7 km -- about four miles -- of their estimated locations.) Apollo 16's S-IVB stage is on Mare Insularum, about 160 miles southwest of Copernicus Crater (more precisely: 1.921 degrees north, 335.377 degrees east, minus 1,104 meters elevation). Credit: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagrid.me/nasagoddard/?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

ISS022-S-001 (February 2009) --- The 22nd Expedition to the International Space Station is dedicated to the final stages of assembly and the transition to full utilization as an orbiting laboratory. The sun, providing power and life support to the space station, shines through one of the solar arrays as the ISS orbits above Earth. The oceans and atmosphere, providing life support to Earth, are shown in all their beauty. The moon hovers in the distance as the goal of the next era of exploration. The six stars illustrate the increased capability of the crew complement. In the border are the national flags of the crew members as well as their surnames in their native languages. Expedition XXII continues the effort to acquire the knowledge necessary to extend the reach of exploration from Earth, to the moon and beyond. The insignia design for ISS flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and cosmonauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator and NASA's international partners may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which we do not anticipate, it will be publicly announced

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston - STS130-S-001 - The STS-130 patch was designed by the crew to reflect both the objectives of the mission and its place in the history of human spaceflight. The main goal of the mission is to deliver Node 3 and the Cupola to the International Space Station (ISS). Node 3, named "Tranquility," will contain life support systems enabling continued human presence in orbit aboard the ISS. The shape of the patch represents the Cupola, which is the windowed robotics viewing station, from which astronauts will have the opportunity not only to monitor a variety of ISS operations, but also to study our home planet. The image of Earth depicted in the patch is the first photograph of the Earth taken from the moon by Lunar Orbiter I on August 23, 1966. As both a past and a future destination for explorers from the planet Earth, the moon is thus represented symbolically in the STS-130 patch. The Space Shuttle Endeavour is pictured approaching the ISS, symbolizing the Space Shuttle's role as the prime construction vehicle for the ISS. The NASA insignia design for shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which we do not anticipate, it will be publicly announced.

STS130-S-001 (September 2009) --- The STS-130 patch was designed by the crew to reflect both the objectives of the mission and its place in the history of human spaceflight. The main goal of the mission is to deliver Node 3 and the Cupola to the International Space Station (ISS). Node 3, named ?Tranquility,? will contain life support systems enabling continued human presence in orbit aboard the ISS. The shape of the patch represents the Cupola, which is the windowed robotics viewing station, from which astronauts will have the opportunity not only to monitor a variety of ISS operations, but also to study our home planet. The image of Earth depicted in the patch is the first photograph of Earth taken from the moon by Lunar Orbiter I on Aug. 23, 1966. As both a past and a future destination for explorers from planet Earth, the moon is thus represented symbolically in the STS-130 patch. The space shuttle Endeavour is pictured approaching the ISS, symbolizing the space shuttle's role as the prime construction vehicle for the ISS. The NASA insignia design for space shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the forms of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, the change will be publicly announced. Photo credit: NASA

ISS013-S-001 (January 2006) --- This patch commemorates the thirteenth expeditionary mission to the International Space Station (ISS) which continues the permanent human presence in space. The ISS is depicted in its configuration at the start of the six-month expedition with trailing elements from the country flags representing both of the crew members--cosmonaut Pavel V. Vinogradov and astronaut Jeffrey N. Williams. The crew members made the following statement about their patch: "The dynamic trajectory of the space station against the background of the Earth, Mars, and the Moon symbolizes the vision for human space exploration beyond Earth orbit and the critical role that the ISS plays in the fulfillment of that vision." The NASA insignia design for shuttle flights and station increments is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the forms of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, the change will be publicly announced.

ISS028-S-001 (September 2010) --- In the foreground of the Expedition 28 patch, the International Space Station is prominently displayed to acknowledge the efforts of the entire International Space Station (ISS) team - both the crews who have assembled and operated it, and the team of scientists, engineers, and support personnel on Earth who have provided a foundation for each successful mission. Their efforts and accomplishments have demonstrated the Space Station?s capabilities as a technology test bed and a science laboratory, as well as a path to the human exploration of our solar system and beyond. This Expedition 28 patch represents the teamwork among the international partners ? USA, Russia, Japan, Canada, and the ESA - and the ongoing commitment from each partner to build, improve, and utilize the ISS. Prominently displayed in the background is our home planet, Earth - the focus of much of our exploration and research on our outpost in space. Also prominently displayed in the background is the Moon. The Moon is included in the design to stress the importance of our planet?s closest neighbor to the future of our world. Expedition 28 is scheduled to occur during the timeframe of the 50th anniversary of both the first human in space, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and the first American in space, astronaut, Alan Shepard. To acknowledge the significant milestone of 50 years of human spaceflight, the names ????????? and ?Shepard? as well as ?50 Years? are included in the patch design. The NASA insignia design for shuttle and space station flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the forms of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, the change will be publicly announced. Photo credit: NASA and its international partners.

This still image features a free-air gravity map of the Moon's southern latitudes developed by S. Goossens et al. from data returned by the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission. If the Moon were a perfectly smooth sphere of uniform density, the gravity map would be a single, featureless color, indicating that the force of gravity at a given elevation was the same everywhere. But like other rocky bodies in the solar system, including Earth, the Moon has both a bumpy surface and a lumpy interior. Spacecraft in orbit around the Moon experience slight variations in gravity caused by both of these irregularities. The free-air gravity map shows deviations from the mean gravity that a cueball Moon would have. The deviations are measured in milliGals, a unit of acceleration. On the map, purple is at the low end of the range, at around -400 mGals, and red is at the high end near +400 mGals. Yellow denotes the mean. The map shown here extends from the south pole of the Moon up to 50°S and reveals the gravity for that region in even finer detail than the global gravity maps published previously. The image illustrates the very good correlation between the gravity map and topographic features such as peaks and craters, as well as the mass concentration lying beneath the large Schrödinger basin in the center of the frame. The terrain in the image is based on Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) altimeter and camera data. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagram.com/nasagoddard?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>

The first manned lunar landing mission, Apollo 11, launched from the Kennedy Space Flight Center (KSC) in Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Astronauts onboard included Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, “Columbia”, piloted by Collins, remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, “Eagle'', carrying astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin, landed on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. On July 20, 1969, Armstrong was the first human to ever stand on the lunar surface, followed by Aldrin. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew set up experiments, collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth, planted the U.S Flag, and left a message for all mankind. In this photograph, Armstrong is removing scientific equipment from a storage bay of the LM. The brilliant sunlight emphasizes the U. S. Flag to the left. The object near the flag is the Solar Wind Composition Experiment deployed by Aldrin earlier.

ISS020-S-001B (December 2008) --- The Expedition 20 patch symbolizes a new era in space exploration with the first six-person crew living and working onboard ISS and represents the significance of the ISS to the exploration goals of NASA and its international partners. The six gold stars signify the men and women of the crew. The astronaut symbol extends from the base of the patch to the star at the top to represent the international team, both on the ground and on orbit, that are working together to further our knowledge of living and working in space. The space station in the foreground represents where we are now and the important role it is playing towards meeting our exploration goals. The knowledge and expertise developed from these advancements will enable us to once again leave low earth orbit for the new challenges of establishing a permanent presence on the moon and then on to Mars. The blue, gray and red arcs represent our exploration goals as symbols of Earth, the moon and Mars. The NASA insignia design for ISS expedition crews is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced.

ISS020-S-001A (December 2008) --- The Expedition 20 patch symbolizes a new era in space exploration with the first six-person crew living and working onboard ISS and represents the significance of the ISS to the exploration goals of NASA and its international partners. The six gold stars signify the men and women of the crew. The astronaut symbol extends from the base of the patch to the star at the top to represent the international team, both on the ground and on orbit, that are working together to further our knowledge of living and working in space. The space station in the foreground represents where we are now and the important role it is playing towards meeting our exploration goals. The knowledge and expertise developed from these advancements will enable us to once again leave low earth orbit for the new challenges of establishing a permanent presence on the moon and then on to Mars. The blue, gray and red arcs represent our exploration goals as symbols of Earth, the moon and Mars. The NASA insignia design for ISS expedition crews is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced.

This image from March 2, 1959 shows engineers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory checking NASA's Pioneer 4 spacecraft, the gold-and-black-colored cone sitting atop the white fourth-stage motor of the Juno II launch vehicle in Florida. Launched on March 3, 1959, NASA's Pioneer 4 was the first American mission to escape Earth orbit and the second of two early attempts by the United States to send a spacecraft to the Moon. The spacecraft achieved its primary objective — to put itself on a trajectory from Earth to the Moon. While it flew farther away from the Moon than expected and didn't take the images of the Moon as intended, Pioneer 4 did provide extensive and valuable data on Earth's radiation belt and the tracking of space objects. After 82 hours of transmissions from Pioneer 4's tiny radio and 655,000 miles (1.05 million kilometers) of travel — the farthest tracking distance for a human-made object at the time — contact is lost on March 6, 1959. Pioneer 4 is still in orbit around the Sun. The mission was carried out while JPL was transitioning from being part of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency to NASA. It marked the end of the U.S. Army's pioneering space program and the beginning of NASA's lunar program. JPL, in Pasadena, California, was responsible for mission design and management for both agencies. More information about Pioneer 4 can be found at: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/pioneer-4/in-depth/ https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA23497

Engineer Emmanuel Decrossas of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California makes an adjustment to an antenna's connector, part of a NASA telecommunications payload called User Terminal, at Firefly Aerospace's facility in Cedar Park, Texas, in August 2025. Figure A (https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/figures/PIA26596_figA.jpg) shows members of the team from JPL and NASA (dark blue) and Firefly (white) with the User Terminal antenna, radio, and other components on the bench behind them. Managed by JPL, the User Terminal will test a new, low-cost lunar communications system that future missions to the Moon's far side could use to transfer data to and from Earth via lunar relay satellite. The User Terminal payload will be installed atop Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 2 lunar lander, which is slated to launch to the Moon's far side in 2026 under NASA's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative. NASA's Apollo missions brought large and powerful telecommunications systems to the lunar near-side surface to communicate directly with Earth. But spacecraft on the far side will not have that option because only the near side of the Moon is visible to Earth. Sending messages between the Moon and Earth via a relay orbiter enables communication with the lunar far side and improves it at the Moon's poles. The User Terminal will for the first time test such a setup for NASA by using a compact, lightweight software defined radio, antenna, and related hardware to communicate with a satellite that Blue Ghost Mission 2 is delivering to lunar orbit: ESA's (the European Space Agency's) Lunar Pathfinder. The User Terminal radio and antenna installed on the Blue Ghost lander will be used to commission Lunar Pathfinder, sending test data back and forth. After the lander ceases operations as planned at the end of a single lunar day (about 14 Earth days), a separate User Terminal radio and antenna installed on LuSEE-Night – another payload on the lander – will send LuSEE-Night's data to Lunar Pathfinder, which will relay the information to a commercial network of ground stations on Earth. LuSEE-Night is a radio telescope that expected to operate for at least 1½ years; it is a joint effort by NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and University of California, Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory. Additionally, User Terminal will be able to communicate with another satellite that's being delivered to lunar orbit by Blue Ghost Mission 2: Firefly's own Elytra Dark orbital vehicle. The hardware on the lander is only part of the User Terminal project, which was also designed to implement a new S-band two-way protocol, or standard, for short-range space communications between entities on the lunar surface (such as rovers and landers) and lunar orbiters, enabling reliable data transfer between them. The standard is a new version of a space communications protocol called Proximity-1 that was initially developed more than two decades ago for use at Mars by an international standard body called the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS), of which NASA is a member agency. The User Terminal team made recommendations to CCSDS on the development of the new lunar S-band standard, which was specified in 2024. The new standard will enable lunar orbiters and surface spacecraft from various entities – NASA and other civil space agencies as well as industry and academia – to communicate with each other, a concept known as interoperability. At Mars, NASA rovers communicate with various Red Planet orbiters using the Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) radio band version of the Proximity-1 standard. On the Moon's far side, use of UHF is reserved for radio astronomy science; so a new lunar standard was needed using a different frequency range, S-band, as were more efficient modulation and coding schemes to better fit the available frequency spectrum specified by the new standard. User Terminal is funded by NASA's Exploration Science Strategy and Integration Office, part of the agency's Science Mission Directorate, which manages the CLPS initiative. JPL manages the project and supported development of the new S-band radio standard and the payload in coordination with Vulcan Wireless in Carlsbad, California, which built the radio. Caltech in Pasadena manages JPL for NASA. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA26596

ISS014-S-001 (May 2006) --- This emblem embodies the past, present, and future of human space exploration. The Roman numeral XIV suspended above the Earth against the black background of space symbolizes the fourteenth expeditionary mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Elements of this symbol merge into a unified trajectory destined for the moon, Mars, and beyond, much as science and operations aboard the ISS today will pave the way for future missions to our celestial neighbors. The five stars honor the astronauts and cosmonauts of missions Apollo 1, Soyuz 1, Soyuz 11, Challenger, and Columbia, who gave their lives in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery. The NASA insignia for design for shuttle flights and station increments is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced.

The Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar mission, launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, named “Eagle’’, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, landed on the Moon. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. This photograph was taken as the mission’s first loaded sample return container arrived at Ellington Air Force Base by air from the Pacific recovery area. The rock box was immediately taken to the Lunar Receiving Laboratory at the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) in Houston, Texas. Happily posing for the photograph with the rock container are (L-R) Richard S. Johnston (back), special assistant to the MSC Director; George M. Low, MSC Apollo Spacecraft Program manager; George S. Trimble (back), MSC Deputy Director; Lt. General Samuel C. Phillips, Apollo Program Director, Office of Manned Spaceflight at NASA headquarters; Eugene G. Edmonds, MSC Photographic Technology Laboratory; Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator; and Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, MSC Director.

ISS023-S-001A (November 2009) --- The focal point of the Expedition XXIII emblem illustrates the beautiful planet Earth in the black expanse of space. The International Space Station (ISS) is shown traveling in its orbit around Earth. The ISS orbital path flies through the XXIII to show that this increment is building upon the missions that have gone on before and laying the groundwork for future missions. This illustrates the work being performed aboard the orbiting complex that will lead the way to eventual missions to the moon, Mars and beyond. The mission designation uses Roman numerals to illustrate the home nations of the crew, which are also represented by their national flags. The two stars represent the two teams that make up this expedition crew. The NASA insignia design for shuttle and space station flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced.

ISS023-S-001B (November 2009) --- The focal point of the Expedition XXIII emblem illustrates the beautiful planet Earth in the black expanse of space. The International Space Station (ISS) is shown traveling in its orbit around Earth. The ISS orbital path flies through the XXIII to show that this increment is building upon the missions that have gone on before and laying the groundwork for future missions. This illustrates the work being performed aboard the orbiting complex that will lead the way to eventual missions to the moon, Mars and beyond. The mission designation uses Roman numerals to illustrate the home nations of the crew, which are also represented by their national flags. The two stars represent the two teams that make up this expedition crew. The NASA insignia design for shuttle and space station flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced.

S72-49482 (November 1972) --- The Optical Recorder of the Lunar Sounder Experiment (S-209) which will be mounted in the SIM bay of the Apollo 17 Service Module. The three functional parts of the Lunar Sounder are the optical recorder, the coherent synthetic aperture radar, and the antennas, a retractable dipole for HF and a yagi for VHF. The Lunar Sounder will probe three-quarters of a mile below the moon's surface from the orbiting Apollo 17 spacecraft. Electronic data recorded on film will be retrieved by the crew during trans-Earth EVA. Geologic information on the lunar interior obtained by the sounder will permit scientific investigation of underground rock layers, lava flow patterns, rille (canyon) structures, mascon properties, and any areas containing water. A prototype lunar sounder has been flight tested in aircraft over selected Earth sites to confirm the equipment design and develop scientific analysis techniques. The Lunar Sounder Experiment was developed by North American Rockwell's (NR) Space Division for NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center to provide data for a scientific investigation team with representatives from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, University of Utah, University of Michigan, U.S. Geological Survey, and NASA Ames Research Center.

iss071-s-001 (Aug. 31, 2023) --- For nearly a quarter of a century the International Space Station (ISS) has hosted crews and accommodated science experiments even as it has continued to evolve into the highly capable orbiting laboratory of today. With its unique vantage point, the ISS serves as an intersection for discoveries ranging from the vast, such as the search for dark matter and cosmological origins, to the near, such as detailed observation of our home planet and its atmosphere, to the microscopic, including behavior of microbial life, DNA sequencing, and molecular biology in the microgravity environment. The Expedition 71 patch celebrates this science as well as the thousands of multinational scientists and technicians that have contributed to numerous groundbreaking experiments. The ISS is the ultimate destination for the scientifically curious. The symbology represents onboard research into quantum behavior of novel states of matter, antibodies and immune function, the search for dark matter, flame and combustion physics, DNA expression, plant growth and root behavior, and direct earth observation. The human eye and microscope objectives at upper left form the apex of a cone of vision culminating in the Expedition number 71, and represents the deliberate and disciplined practice of scientific observation. Earth’s moon and Mars are also depicted as next steps for exploration, with an anticipation of further rich scientific discovery using many techniques and skills honed aboard the ISS.

S72-53472 (November 1972) --- An artist's concept illustrating how radar beams of the Apollo 17 lunar sounder experiment will probe three-quarters of a mile below the moon's surface from the orbiting spacecraft. The Lunar Sounder will be mounted in the SIM bay of the Apollo 17 Service Module. Electronic data recorded on film will be retrieved by the crew during trans-Earth EVA. Geologic information on the lunar interior obtained by the sounder will permit scientific investigation of underground rock layers, lava flow patterns, rille (canyon) structures, mascon properties, and any areas containing water. A prototype lunar sounder has been flight tested in aircraft over selected Earth sites to confirm the equipment design and develop scientific analysis techniques. The Lunar Sounder Experiment (S-209) was developed by North American Rockwell's (NR) Space Division for NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center to provide data for a scientific investigation team with representatives from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, University of Utah, University of Michigan, U.S. Geological Survey, and NASA Ames Research Center.

The Apollo 11 mission launched from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida via the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot; and Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. With the success of Apollo 11, the national objective to land men on the Moon and return them safely to Earth had been accomplished. These sketches illustrate the steps taken by the astronauts to return to Earth. The service propulsion system engine was fired to increase space craft speed enough to escape Lunar orbit on a trajectory for Earth. Any necessary midcourse corrections were made enroute. Near the point of reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, the CM separated from the service module and turned 180 degrees so the heat shield faced forward on the line of flight. Friction of the atmosphere heated the shield to a white hot temperature, as a meteor, which slowed the craft as it reached lower altitudes. At about three miles altitude, drogue parachutes opened to stabilize the craft. Moments later the main parachutes opened to lower the CM to the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Helicopters and recovery crews from the U.S. S. Hornet aircraft carrier were standing by to pick up the astronauts.

In December of 1968, the crew of Apollo 8 became the first people to leave our home planet and travel to another body in space. But as crew members Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders all later recalled, the most important thing they discovered was Earth. Using photo mosaics and elevation data from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), this video commemorates the 45th anniversary of Apollo 8's historic flight by recreating the moment when the crew first saw and photographed the Earth rising from behind the Moon. Narrator Andrew Chaikin, author of A Man on the Moon, sets the scene for a three-minute visualization of the view from both inside and outside the spacecraft accompanied by the onboard audio of the astronauts. The visualization draws on numerous historical sources, including the actual cloud pattern on Earth from the ESSA-7 satellite and dozens of photographs taken by Apollo 8, and it reveals new, historically significant information about the Earthrise photographs. It has not been widely known, for example, that the spacecraft was rolling when the photos were taken, and that it was this roll that brought the Earth into view. The visualization establishes the precise timing of the roll and, for the first time ever, identifies which window each photograph was taken from. The key to the new work is a set of vertical stereo photographs taken by a camera mounted in the Command Module's rendezvous window and pointing straight down onto the lunar surface. It automatically photographed the surface every 20 seconds. By registering each photograph to a model of the terrain based on LRO data, the orientation of the spacecraft can be precisely determined. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a></b> <b><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a></b> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. <b>Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASA_GoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></b> <b>Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a></b> <b>Find us on <a href="http://instagram.com/nasagoddard?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a></b>