From Project Vanguard to the space race

America’s second satellite, Vanguard 1, was launched 50 years ago today, on March 17, 1958. It’s still up there, the oldest man-made object in orbit. Paradoxically, the earlier failures of Project Vanguard boosted the popular perception of a “Space Race” and ultimately led to the Moon programme.

“That’s not my department”, says Wernher von Braun

Tom Lehrer sings about the downside of Wernher von Braun’s rather complex legacy.

Clyde Tombaugh goes to Pluto

Here’s a trick question: Who’s the fastest human being ever?