Stars in the sky via James Webb's telescope

Blast Off from the Tar Heel State
NC’s Role in Space History

Author: Alexa Scattaregia, Marketing Specialist

North Carolina has played a remarkable role in the history of space exploration, from pioneering early experiments to sending astronauts on record-breaking missions. The state’s contributions span decades, shaping NASA’s past, present, and future missions.

Ham the Astrochimp: North Carolina’s First Space Pioneer

One of North Carolina’s earliest connections to space exploration began with Ham the Astrochimp. In 1961 he became the first chimpanzee to travel into space, playing a critical role in NASA’s Mercury program. The mission tested whether living beings could perform tasks under the stresses of launch, weightlessness, and reentry. To ensure his safety, Ham’s capsule included a custom-molded seat. His capsule, on loan from the National Museum of the US Air Force, was later featured in the 2019 One Giant Leap: North Carolina and the Space Race exhibit. Following his historic flight, Ham retired to the North Carolina Zoo in 1980, where he lived the rest of his years.

A person in naval attire shakes hands with a chimpanzee seated in a restraining chair on the deck of a ship.
Chimpanzee Ham is greeted by the commander of the recovery ship after his flight on the Mercury-Redstone rocket. Photo courtesy of NASA.

Training Astronauts in Chapel Hill

During the height of the Space Race, astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs trained at the Morehead Planetarium at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. These men learned celestial navigation, a critical skill in case their spacecraft’s electronic systems failed. All but one of NASA’s early astronauts studied the stars in Chapel Hill.

North Carolina’s Ties to the Challenger Tragedy

The tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986 deeply impacted North Carolina, as two of the astronauts aboard had strong ties to the state. Ronald McNair, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, and Michael Smith, a Beaufort native, were among the seven crew members who lost their lives when the shuttle exploded just 73 seconds after liftoff.

Official NASA portrait of the Space Shuttle Challenger crew, details follow in caption
Crew Back Row: Mission Specialist Ellison S. Onizuka, Payload Specialists Christa McAuliffe and Gregory B. Jarvis, Mission Specialist Judith A. Resnik, Front Row: Pilot Michael J. Smith, Commander Francis R. Scobee, Mission Specialist Ronald E. McNair. Photo courtesy of NASA.

One of the artifacts recovered from the ocean was a North Carolina flag that had been aboard the shuttle. North Carolina science teachers had given the flag to Smith to carry into space, making its survival all the more poignant. Later that year, Smith’s widow, Jane, presented the recovered flag to Governor James C. Martin in a solemn ceremony on November 11, 1986.

Flag of North Carolina featuring a red field with two dates written in black on gold ribbons and the letters N C with a white star in the center.
This North Carolina flag, recovered from the ocean after the Challenger disaster, turned red due to a chemical reaction. 

James Webb: A North Carolina Native’s Impact on Space Exploration

The James Webb Space Telescope, which has provided some of the deepest and most detailed images of our universe, is named after James Webb, a North Carolina native from Granville County. Webb served as NASA’s second administrator from 1961 to 1968, overseeing key advancements in the Apollo program. His leadership paved the way for future space exploration, and his namesake telescope continues to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos.

North Carolina’s Contributions Beyond Astronauts

NASA logo patch with a blue background, white lettering, a red swoosh, and orbital elements.]
NASA’s first mission patch was designed in North Carolina.

North Carolina’s impact on space exploration extends beyond astronauts and historic missions. The state is home to A-B Emblem, a Weaverville-based company that created NASA’s first official mission patches in the 1960s. Additionally, the Michelin plant in Norwood manufactured landing gear tires used in the Space Shuttle program.

The state’s contributions to astronomy also reach far beyond Earth’s atmosphere. In the 1930s, quartz mined in Mitchell County became the mirror for the Hale Telescope at the Palomar Observatory in California. This 200-inch telescope was the largest in the world for several decades, revolutionizing astronomical research.

Christina Koch: From North Carolina to the Moon

Raised in Jacksonville, Christina Hammock Koch has become one of NASA’s most influential astronauts. She attended the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics before graduating from North Carolina State University. Koch’s impressive career spans roles in electrical engineering, space science, and Antarctic research before becoming an astronaut.

A female astronaut in a NASA spacesuit stands in front of the American flag, with a space helmet placed on a table beside her.
Astronaut Christina Koch’s official Extravehicular Mobility Unit portrait. Photo courtesy of Bill Stafford, NASA photographer.

Her most notable achievements include the following:
• Participating in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019.
• Setting the record for the longest continuous spaceflight by a woman (328 days).
• Contributing to NASA’s research on the effects of long-term space travel on female astronauts.

Now, Koch is preparing for her next groundbreaking mission, Artemis III. This mission aims to land astronauts on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, and Koch is set to make history as one of the first women to walk on the lunar surface. Her journey represents not only a personal triumph but also a continuation of North Carolina’s tradition of excellence in space exploration.

Looking to the Future

As NASA prepares for the Artemis missions, North Carolina’s role in space exploration continues to shine. Koch’s journey to the moon is a testament to the state’s enduring contributions to aerospace history. Whether through astronauts, scientists, engineers, or artifacts, North Carolina’s presence in space exploration is undeniable.