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Rockets
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Saturn IB
Precursor to the powerful Saturn V moon rocket, the Saturn IB rocket was first used to send the crew of Apollo 7 on a 260-hour Earth-orbital mission and was later used in the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.
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Mercury-Atlas model
The Mercury-Atlas launch vehicle powered the Mercury missions. This 29 meter (95.4 feet) high, 3 meter (10 feet) in diameter rocket stands at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors' Center "Rocket Garden"
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U.S. Mission Control
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Apollo-era Mission Control Center
The Mission Control Center portrayed in the movie "Apollo 13" and utilized for Apollo 11 has been designated the "National Historic Landmark Apollo Mission Control Center." The center was also used for Gemini, Skylab and shuttle missions and was officially retired in January 1996.
During the Cold War, Apollo missions were critical in the testing of manned space flight. In July 1969, the Apollo 11 lunar module set astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin onto the lunar surface, reaching President Kennedy's goal of sending a man to the moon.
Follow the space race in detail with our interactive timeline.
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The Space Shuttle
While the Soviets focused on manned orbiting space stations, the United States built the world's first reflyable spacecraft to deliver and retrieve satellites and perform scientific research. The craft launches like a rocket, maneuvers in space, then returns like an aircraft gliding onto a runway.
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Explorer shuttle replica
A replica of the Explorer shuttle orbiter at Kennedy Space Center's visitor center measures 122 feet in length with a wingspan of 78.1 feet.
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Shuttle booster rocket replica
A replica of a shuttle's solid rocket boosters is on display at Kennedy Space Center, standing 149.1 feet high and 12.2 feet in diameter. Each weighs 1.3 million pounds.
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Shuttle payload bay
A full-scale mockup of a shuttle payload bay in the training facility is at Johnson Space Center.
Launch 360° view from the thrusters
Launch 360° view from the air lock
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Cockpit
The equipment panels help determine, control and monitor the shuttle's functionality.
(From training module at Johnson Space Center, Houston)
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Mid Deck
The Mid Deck contains a bulkhead of storage lockers for equipment and supplies.
(From training module at Johnson Space Center, Houston)
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The International Space Station
A joint venture among 13 nations, this space station is being designed with larger living and working quarters, more electrical power and greater cooperation among nations than its Russian predecessor, Mir. The parts of the station will be carried into orbit by space shuttles, and the station is scheduled to be completed early next century. Once finished, six people will be able to occupy the station at one time, and both the American space shuttle and Russian Soyuz will be able to dock with the station.
For more information about the International Space Station, visit CNN's special, "City in Space."
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Connecting Node 1
Habitation Module
Japan Laboratory Module
Connecting Node 2
U.S. Laboratory
Columbus Orbital Facility
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