First Slide:
Making spacecrafts is a long and meticulous process. First, the spacecraft has to be made in special factories that are especially clean. Even the slightest mistake in the manufacturing process could result in a major problem when the craft is in space. The spacecraft is then transported in pieces to the launch site by means of truck, rail, aircraft, or ship. The craft is then assembled and tested before launch. When all tests have been conducted, it is then moved by workers to the pad and is fueled for launch. The biggest difficulty for a spacecraft is overcoming gravity. The launch vehicle, a powerful rocket, gives the spacecraft the thrust it needs to overcome gravity. Launch vehicles all have at least two rocket sections known as stages. To launch successfully, the stages must provide thrust that is at least equivalent to the craft's weight. The extra thrust that is provided allows the ship to move in space. But, because there is no oxygen in space, no normal fuel would burn. So, special fuel is used called propellant. Lox, or liquid oxygen, is often used to provide oxygen for the fuel to burn.
Second Slide:
One of the most essential parts of space travel is insuring that the astronauts are able to survive. The hull has two layers to protect against micrometeoroids, particles of dust that impact at high speeds. They also have special windows to block out ultraviolet rays from the sun. Microgravity is another big problem in space. Microgravity is why everything appears to be weightless in space. Humans decondition, or get weaker, when they are in space, because there is no weight on their bodies. When they come back to earth, however, they experience gravity again, which is a large force. Exercising in space is the best way to prevent deconditioning. The basic needs of humans, breathing, eating/drinking, eliminating body wastes, bathing, sleeping, and recreation also need to be accounted for. Because there is no oxygen in space, a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen is circulated by fans throughout the cabin. This is stored in pellets of a chemical called lithium hydroxide, which serves two purposes by also absorbing carbon dioxide. The food is frozen, so there are ways to heat the food, which are perhaps like microwaves. Water is obtained from fuel cells, which produce pure water as they generate electricity. A toilet seat-like device is used to get rid of waste. Air flow makes suction and waste is stored under the seat. A Sponge bath is the easiest way to bathe. Vacuums suction the water from the shower stalls and the towels. Astronauts are strapped against a soft cushion when they sleep. They have sleeping bags to keep them warm and blindfolds to block the sun that periodically comes through the windows. Sleeping time in space is about the same as on earth. Recreation is important for the mental wellness of astronauts. Looking out of the windows is a favorite pastime, but small collections of books, tapes, and computer games also provide relaxation.

Third Slide:
On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first person from the United States to go into space. Even though his journey lasted only a little over 15 minutes, it was a great achievement. He went up in a Mercury spacecraft, which he named Freedom 7. He was launched at Cape Canaveral, Florida and landed in the Atlantic Ocean, about 300 miles away. About three weeks prior to launch, Yuri Gagarin was the first person to go into space and orbit the earth. Three weeks after Freedom 7's launch, President Kennedy proposed that the U.S. achieve manned space flight to the moon before the end of the decade.
Fourth Slide:
On July 16, 1969, Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins climbed into Apollo 11. The craft was made of three parts, the Command Module, the Service Module, and the Lunar Module. The Command Module was the living quarters for the three men. The Service Module contained all of the food and oxygen. It also propelled the craft into space. Armstrong and Aldrin used the Lunar Module to explore the moon's surface. The crew landed on the moon on July 20. They returned with samples of the moon's surface that would be tested for its properties. They returned to earth on July 24, all crew members were safe. Neil Armstrong's famous quote, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" was said in regards to the first lunar landing. Although Kennedy's proposition may have seemed absurd in 1961, the Apollo 11's landing proved to the world that the U.S. was just as good, if not better, than the Russians.

Oberg, James. "Space Exploration." The World Book Encyclopedia. 1994.

Space History Division. Apollo 11 Command Module "Columbia". 18 Aug. 1999. 6 Apr. 2003
<http://www.nasm.si.edu/nasm/dsh/artifacts/HS-Apollo11Capsule.htm>.