Clues to the Universe

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was created on October 1st, 1958, after President Eisenhower’s decision to make space exploration a priority. This came in response to the Soviet Union’s advances in the same field, and because it was the height of the Cold War, competition between these two powerful nations was fierce. Like Ro’s father in Clues to the Universe, people who grew up during the 1960s and 1970s developed an excitement about space exploration as NASA’s programs advanced and more people were sent into space.

In 1977, NASA began the Space Shuttle program, sending its first test flight into the atmosphere and its first shuttle, the Columbia, into orbit in 1981. Many of these shuttles deployed satellites and other equipment into orbit or performed biological and physical experiments in space. The launching of these shuttles drew nationwide attention and hope for what was to be discovered. The Columbia had four orbital test flights, went on 28 missions, and spent 300 days in space over its 22-year life. Tragically, the Columbia’s final mission in 2003 resulted in failure and disintegration upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, leading to the death of all seven crew members.