IN its first cover story on space exploration in December 1952, TIME quoted Dr. Wernher von Braun as saying that manned space flight was "as sure as the rising of the sun." Dr. Von Braun's conviction was greeted with great skepticism. But his prophecy proved 100% right, and at each step along the way TIME has recorded the many triumphs—and occasional tragedies—of mankind's journey to the stars. Each flight has produced its moments of breathtaking suspense, culminating in Apollo 11's moon landing and Neil Armstrong's first step on the lunar surface. Yet for...
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