The Apollo missions were NASA's historic goal to send humans to the Moon and return them safely. These missions achieved 6 successful crewed Moon landings, bringing back nearly 842 pounds of Moon rocks for study. Kids will learn about the first time humans left Earth’s orbit!
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what’s out there? Have you dreamed of floating in space or walking on the Moon?
Well, you're not alone! Humans have always been curious about the stars, and one amazing organization, NASA, helps us explore! NASA stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and they build the super-cool rockets and spacecraft that zoom into the cosmos. Since it started on October 1, 1958, NASA has taken us further than ever before! They help us learn about planets, stars, and even how to live far from Earth. Get ready to learn about some of the most exciting NASA space missions for kids!
Mira says:
"Wow, Finn! Think about it: some of those little robots, like the Mars rovers, are exploring other worlds *right now*! I want to be an engineer who designs the next amazing space telescope!"
What Was the Epic Apollo Program?
The most famous missions in NASA history are probably the Apollo missions! These were the missions with one giant goal: to send humans to the Moon and bring them back safely to Earth. This was all part of the exciting 'Space Race' between the United States and the Soviet Union!
The first time humans ever left Earth’s orbit to travel to the Moon was on Apollo 8 in 1968. The three astronauts orbited the Moon ten times and were the first humans to see an 'Earthrise' over the lunar horizon!
Mind-Blowing Fact!
Did you know that the very first Moon landing, Apollo 11, happened on July 20, 1969? When Neil Armstrong stepped out, he said the famous line: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind!”
Moonwalkers: The Amazing Stats of Visiting Another World
Only a very small group of humans have ever set foot on the Moon. It’s a super exclusive club! NASA's Apollo missions made history by landing people on our closest neighbor.
The astronauts collected tons of Moon rocks—nearly 842 pounds—to bring back for scientists to study what the Moon is made of. These rocks help us understand how the Moon and Earth were formed!
(All part of the Apollo program)
(Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, & 17)
(12 orbited, 12 walked)
How Did NASA Build the Strongest Rockets Ever?
To get to the Moon or Mars, you need a HUGE rocket! Today, NASA is building the Space Launch System (SLS), which is designed to be the world's tallest and most powerful rocket stage.
The SLS rocket is helping bring humans back to the Moon with the Artemis Program—and one day, travel to Mars!
Inside the Mighty SLS Core Stage
The main part of the SLS is called the Core Stage, and it's super big! It stands about 212 feet tall, which is taller than 20 school buses stacked on top of each other!
This stage is packed with super-cold rocket fuel—liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen—which it feeds to its four powerful RS-25 engines. These engines, based on old Space Shuttle engines, help push the rocket away from Earth!
💡 Did You Know?
The powerful Solid Rocket Boosters attached to the SLS give it over 75% of its total thrust during the first two minutes of flight! They burn fuel so fast that they use up six tons of fuel every single second while they fire!
🎯 Quick Quiz!
Which famous NASA mission is often called a 'successful failure' after an oxygen tank exploded on the way to the Moon?
Why Do We Send Robots to Mars and Beyond?
Not all missions need astronauts! NASA sends incredible robotic explorers called space probes and rovers to visit places humans can't easily go. Think of them as super-smart robot explorers for hire!
Missions like Pioneer and Voyager traveled to the far-out planets in our Solar System, sending back amazing photos and data before they went beyond our neighborhood.
- Mars Rovers (like Curiosity & Perseverance): These robots drive around the surface of Mars, looking for signs that water—and maybe even tiny life—once existed there!
- Hubble Space Telescope: This amazing telescope orbits above Earth’s atmosphere, giving us crystal-clear views of distant stars and galaxies that we could never see from the ground!
- James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): The successor to Hubble, JWST looks at the universe in infrared light to see how the very first galaxies were formed.
NASA is always looking to the future! Did you know they even have people in special programs who spend long periods lying in bed to help scientists study what happens to the human body in weightlessness? That’s dedication to space exploration for kids everywhere!
Questions Kids Ask About Space
Keep Reaching for the Stars!
From rockets as tall as skyscrapers to tiny robots exploring red planets, NASA missions are full of history-making moments! Every launch, every photograph, and every discovery helps us understand our place in this huge, amazing universe. Maybe one day, you’ll be the one designing the next great mission for kids to learn about!
