Publications and Resources

In this first history of the SOFIA mission, historian Lois Rosson narrates the observatory’s development, operations, and legacy and situates the mission within a broader history of airborne observation at NASA.

In his book "Ascension: Life Lessons from the Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy for Engineers, Managers, and Leaders," author Steven Hirshorn shares his experience on the day Columbia and its crew were lost, and the sobering work NASA undertook in search of answers and to return to flight in the wake of the tragedy.

Get a detailed look at every wind tunnel ever designed and operated by NASA and its predecessor, the NACA. This comprehensive reference work describes the history and the significance of these essential facilities for aeronautical research.

In the newest monograph in the NASA History Series, Stephen S. Buono presents the history behind the Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, better known as the Moon Treaty.

John M. Logsdon describes the steps George H.W. Bush’s administration took to try to reform NASA, the conflicts that arose, and the lasting impacts.

In A Wartime Necessity, we see how research and technology were critical to the war effort during World War II, how unique contexts shaped what was possible, and how institutions were adapting to a drastically changing world.

In this issue, we celebrate 100 years of liquid-fueled rocketry with a look at Robert H. Goddard’s secluded work style, introduce a new member of our office, and invite you to the next meeting in our NASA History Speaker Series.

For decades, part of the work of NASA's History Office has included documenting the experiences of the agency’s experts through oral history interviews. These interviews allow deeper understanding of the programs, organization, and teamwork involved. In this issue, we discuss how oral histories are being used by personnel working on the Artemis program, and how we are working to capture their stories for future generations.

In the first email edition of NASA History News & Notes, the NASA History Office reflects on the Challenger tragedy and how we build historic narratives.

For our Summer 2025 edition of News and Notes, the NASA History Office explores the theme of leadership and decision-making. How has NASA navigated tough choices in its past? How have leaders at the agency sculpted a path forward?

In the newest edition of News and Notes, the NASA History Office reflects on some of the transitional periods in NASA’s past, as well as the legacies of a few of NASA’s past programs and projects.

The Fall 2024 edition focuses on NASA’s archives program. NASA’s archives help tell the story of NASA’s work, its leaders, its triumphs and challenges. These records not only become the basis of historical research communicated in books and documentaries, but also inform managers, engineers, and program planners, and inspire new generations with lessons from our past.

The Apollo Lunar Surface Journal and Apollo Flight Journal provide detailed accounts of the Apollo spaceflights from 1968 through 1972. 

Search the NASA Technical Reports Server for reports and publications in the STI repository.

In this collection of historical resources, discover the story of how the Space Shuttle program came to be, its setbacks and lasting achievements over the decades.

From the birth of NASA with the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 through recent Presidential Space Directives, review this collection of key documents directing U.S. space policy.

The NACA and NASA have received the Robert J. Collier Trophy award several times for research and projects undertaken over the past century.

Download NASA Headquarters organizational charts spanning 1958–2015.