NASA, CAPE CANAVERAL
NASA's mission is to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.Cape Canaveral is an excellent choice for lodging during your stay to visit to visit NASA’s facilities or watch an exciting rocket launch. Most rockets are easily seen from the Cape Canaveral Beaches, from the launch pad to the sky. Night launches light up the dark beach and the reflection of the rising rocket on the water is breathtaking. Only 15 minutes away, CC is a beautiful beach community abundant with hotels within your price range; high or low. Each of the hotels offer grand accommodations, each with a different room or condo décor and swimming pool. Each has individual amenities for you to choose from. Beautiful unspoiled beaches, restaurants, sun, sand, surf and sea all welcome you to Cape Canaveral.
A Little History
President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1958, partially in response to the Soviet Union's launch of the first artificial satellite the previous year.
President John F. Kennedy focused NASA and the nation on sending astronauts to the moon by the end of the 1960s. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first of 12 men to walk on the moon, meeting Kennedy's challenge.
Meanwhile, NASA was continuing the aeronautics research. It also conducted purely scientific research and worked on developing applications for space technology, combining both pursuits in developing the first weather and communications satellites.
After Apollo, NASA focused on creating a reusable ship to provide regular access to space: the space shuttle. First launched in 1981, the space shuttle has had 120 successful flights. In 2000, the United States and Russia established permanent human presence in space aboard the International Space Station, a multinational project representing the work of 16 nations.
NASA also has continued its scientific research. In 1997, Mars Pathfinder became the first in a fleet of NASA spacecraft that will explore Mars in the next decade, as we try to determine if life ever existed there. The Terra and Aqua NASA satellites are flagships of a different fleet, this one in Earth orbit, designed to help us understand how our home world is changing. NASA's aeronautics teams are focused on improved aircraft travel that is safer and cleaner.
NASA conducts its work in four principal organizations, called mission directorates:
- Aeronautics: NASA pioneers and proves new flight technologies that improve our ability to explore and which have practical applications on Earth.
- Exploration Systems: NASA creates new capabilities and spacecraft for affordable, sustainable human and robotic exploration.
- Science: explores the Earth, moon, Mars and beyond; charts the best route of discovery; and reaps the benefits of Earth and space exploration for society.
- Space Operations: provides critical enabling technologies for much of the rest of NASA through the space shuttle, the International Space Station and flight support.
In the early 21st century, NASA's reach spans the universe. Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars Exploration Rovers, are still studying Mars after arriving in 2004. Cassini is in orbit around Saturn. The restored Hubble Space Telescope continues to explore the deepest reaches of the cosmos.
The Future
In the next 20 years, NASA will be laying the groundwork for sending humans not only beyond Earth's orbit, but further into space than they've ever been. Though nearly 50 years old, NASA is only beginning the most exciting part of its existence.
