What To Know
- Four years after Mercury came Gemini, the first spacecraft to achieve the then-greatest distance between Earth and space with a human on board (258,000 meters, according to Gizmodo).
- Perhaps the most extensive in NASA‘s history, the Space Shuttle program marked a significant era in manned space travel.
- A standout feature of this spacecraft is its capacity to carry up to seven astronauts to the International Space Station.
On June 6th, Boeing‘s Starliner made history by becoming the seventh spacecraft to transport NASA astronauts into space. Notably, it is only the second spacecraft developed by a private company in collaboration with NASA, following SpaceX‘s efforts.
In the 63-year history of human space exploration, one might think that numerous spacecraft have carried astronauts beyond our planet. However, the reality is different, with only one per decade on average. Here are the six other spacecraft that have taken NASA astronauts into space.
The Spacecraft That Carried NASA Astronauts into Space
1. Mercury
The Mercury project was NASA’s first to send an astronaut into space. The mission, executed by the iconic Alan Shepard, aimed to observe human body behavior during suborbital flights.
2. Gemini
Four years after Mercury came Gemini, the first spacecraft to achieve the then-greatest distance between Earth and space with a human on board (258,000 meters, according to Gizmodo). This mission served as a bridge leading NASA to initiate the Apollo project.
3. Apollo
The name Apollo alone speaks to the mission’s significance, being the first to reach the Moon. Thanks to Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin Jr. became the first humans to set foot on the lunar surface.
4. Space Shuttle
Perhaps the most extensive in NASA’s history, the Space Shuttle program marked a significant era in manned space travel. The Space Shuttle operated for at least 30 years, completing around 135 missions.
5. Soyuz
Following the Space Shuttle came the still-functional Soyuz spacecraft. This Russian-manufactured spacecraft represents a key point in history, slightly easing the rivalry between Russia and the United States.
6. SpaceX Crew Dragon
The first privately-owned spacecraft, Crew Dragon, belongs to Elon Musk‘s SpaceX. A standout feature of this spacecraft is its capacity to carry up to seven astronauts to the International Space Station.
7. Boeing Starliner
With the successful flight of Starliner, Boeing joins the ranks of spacecraft capable of carrying NASA astronauts, continuing the legacy of space exploration and innovation.
