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# Travel to Space (and Back in Time) with Vintage NASA Photos
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/travel-to-space-and-back-in-time-with-vintage-nasa-photos/
- Published: 2015-05-07T15:30:06.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T15:47:16.000Z
- Description: In the early 20th century, the world watched in anticipation as Stetson-capped explorers disappeared into the Amazon jungle.
- Author: Laura C. Mallonee
- Tags: Art, astronomy, Exploration, NASA, outer space, Photo Essays, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:08 (2014, 2015, part 2)

![2586_danielblau](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/2586_danielblau.jpg)

“Mars from Distance of 560.000 Miles,” captured by Viking Orbiter II on June 17, 1976 (all images © NASA)

In the early 20th century, the world watched in anticipation as Stetson-capped explorers disappeared into the Amazon jungle. By the 1960s, it was equally intrepid astronauts that commanded attention. Today, while anyone with a strong enough desire can visit the rainforest, very few will still ever enter outer space.

A collection of vintage photographs of NASA’s early missions might offer the next best thing. Currently on view at [Daniel Blau](http://www.danielblau.com/exhibitions/2015/apollo-8x10/?ref=hyperallergic.com) in London, the images were taken from manned and unmanned aircrafts like the Apollo, the Viking, and the Voyager. They feature some of US astronautic history’s most iconic moments — Buzz Aldrin stepping on the moon, planting a flag on lunar soil — as well as close-ups of Mars, Venus, and Saturn.

Looking at them lets those of us who will never journey through the Milky Way experience its wonder vicariously. Most of all, they’re a reminder of just how much remains to be explored.

![7771](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/7771.jpg)

“Buzz Aldrin on the Moon,” captured by NASA Apollo II in July 1969

![5338_danielblau](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/5338_danielblau.jpg)

“Commander Cernan Getting on Board of the Lunar Rover,” captured by NASA Apollo 17 in December 1972

![5636_danielblau](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/5636_danielblau.jpg)

“Snoopy (Apollo 10 Landing Module),” captured on May 23, 1969

![7758](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/7758.jpg)

“Astronauts Plant Flag on Moon,” captured by NASA Apollo II in July 1969

![7760](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/7760.jpg)

“Aldrin Leaves the LM,” captured by NASA Apollo II in July 1969

![7764](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/7764.jpg)

“Moonscape,” captured by NASA Apollo II in 1969

![7769](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/7769.jpg)

“Moonspace,” captured by NASA Apollo II in 1969

![4481_300dpi](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/4481_300dpi.jpg)

“Charlie Brown Over the Moon,” captured by NASA Apollo 10 in May 1969

![2576_danielblau](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/2576_danielblau.jpg)

“Saturn’s Northern Mid-latitudes,” captured by NASA Voyager 2 on Aug. 21, 1981

![2599_300dpi](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/04/2599_300dpi.jpg)

“Saturn,” captured by NASA Voyager 2 on Aug. 11, 1981