NASA History!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today we are taking a deep dive into NASA! Last month it celebrated it’s 67th anniversary! I was lucky enough to ask a couple of questions to three former astronauts; Robert L. Crippen, Michael Coats, and Charles D. Gemar!

Born out of a race to space and a drive to innovate, NASA; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; was officially established on July 29, 1958. In the wake of the Soviet Union’s successful launch of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, the U.S. recognized the urgent need to advance its own space efforts. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law, transforming the existing National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) into the forward-thinking agency we now know as NASA.

From the beginning, NASA’s mission was bold: explore space, push the boundaries of science and technology, and expand human knowledge. In its early years, NASA launched Project Mercury, then Gemini, and ultimately the famed Apollo missions. On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 fulfilled President John F. Kennedy’s vision when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon. That “giant leap for mankind” wasn’t just a milestone in space exploration; it was a defining moment in history.

Throughout the years, NASA’s story has been shaped by courageous astronauts like Robert L. Crippen, who piloted the very first Space Shuttle flight, STS-1, in 1981 and later became a key leader within the agency. Michael Coats, another accomplished astronaut, flew three shuttle missions and later served as director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Charles D. Gemar, known for his work as a mission specialist on three Space Shuttle missions in the 1990s, played an important role in space laboratory experiments and satellite deployment. Their dedication reflects the spirit of exploration and service that defines the agency.

Today, NASA continues to inspire and innovate with projects like the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon and eventually reach Mars. Its commitment to education, public engagement, and cutting-edge science keeps it at the heart of human curiosity and progress. More than just a government agency, NASA stands as a symbol of what’s possible when we dare to explore the unknown; and when we look to the stars not just for answers, but for our future!

Bonus Question:

Giancarlo: How does it feel to be a part of NASA history?

Michael Coats: I’m grateful to have worked with so many talented and dedicated people. They make impossible dreams come true.

Charles D. Gemar: I maybe never appreciated my place in history. I’ve always seen being an astronaut as what I did, not necessarily who I am!

Robert L. Crippen: Lucky.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Michael Coats: Family comes first. If you’re not happy at home, you won’t be productive at work.

Charles D. Gemar: My Dad always told me, “Don’t be afraid to come a little early, stay a little later, and do a little more!”

Robert L. Crippen: Listen.

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again on Monday!

-Giancarlo