Countdown to space

Describes the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, explains the need for establishing a moon base, and speculates about future situations in which the base would be used.

Looks at the Challenger mission, the cause of the shuttle explosion, and the investigation of the incident, with special attention paid to crewmate Christa McAuliffe.

Discusses the Soviet Vostok 1 mission, which made Yuri Gagarin the first human being in space. Also provides biographical information about the astronaut, including his reception as a hero upon returning to Earth.

An account of the flight's challenges and triumphs, describing John Glenn's successful mission as the first American to orbit the Earth.

Discusses the travel of the Galileo spacecraft from its launch to its orbit around Jupiter, explaining the goals and accomplishments of the mission.

Text and pictures trace the Apollo 13 space mission, describing the accident and the crew's safe return to Earth.

Text and photos describe the moon and humans' journeys to it; also includes a glossary and a list of related books and Web sites.

Text and pictures follow the Apollo 11 voyage, the landing on the moon, and the crew's return to Earth.

Details the initiation of the Hubble Space Telescope in April 1990 and the repair and servicing missions which followed, and explains the telescope's role in answering questions about the universe.

Describes the composition of Venus from its core to its atmosphere and explains how Venus is incapable of supporting life even though it appears to be similar to Earth.