Picture of the day - October 4, 2008

The first rocket launch from Cape Canaveral

. Photo courtesy of NASA. On July 24, 1950, history was made in the field of space travel when Bumper 8 became the very first rocket to be launched from Cape Canaveral. Although the mission surrounding that inaugural launch from the Cape was ultimately deemed a failure, it was nonetheless an important milestone in the development and testing of the rocket technologies that would land the first human being on the moon - and eventually beyond. Since that momentous day almost six decades ago, numerous rockets and space vehicles have taken off from and landed at Cape Canaveral, and today the Kennedy Space Center is one of Florida's most popular destinations for tourists from all around the globe. It is also quite possibly the most important venue used in the operation of NASA and our highly successful space program. Click here to comment on this picture.   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!                                 Place the "Picture of the Day" on your website, for free! Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"