Humans have always looked up into the night sky and dreamed about space.
In the latter half of the 20th century, rockets were developed that were powerful enough to overcome the force of gravity to reach orbital velocities, paving the way for space exploration to become a reality.
In the 1930s and 1940s, Nazi Germany saw the possibilities of using long-distance rockets as weapons. Late in World War II, London was attacked by 200-mile-range V-2 missiles, which arched 60 miles high over the English Channel at more than 3,500 miles per hour. After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union created their own missile programs.
On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviets launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into space. Four years later on April 12, 1961, Russian Lt. Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth in Vostok 1. His flight lasted 108 minutes, and Gagarin reached an altitude of 327 kilometers (about 202 miles).
The first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1, went into orbit on Jan. 31, 1958. In 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American to fly into space. On Feb. 20, 1962, John Glenns historic flight made him the first American to orbit Earth.
Landing on the moon: Apollo 12 launches for second moon landing Nov. 14, 1969.
Landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth within a decade was a national goal set by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong took one giant leap for mankind as he stepped onto the moon. Six Apollo missions were made to explore the moon between 1969 and 1972.
During the 1960s, unmanned spacecraft photographed and probed the moon before astronauts ever landed. By the early 1970s, orbiting communications and navigation satellites were in everyday use, and the Mariner spacecraft was orbiting and mapping the surface of Mars. By the end of the decade, the Voyager spacecraft had sent back detailed images of Jupiter and Saturn, their rings, and their moons.
Skylab, Americas first space station, was a human-spaceflight highlight of the 1970s, as was the Apollo Soyuz Test Project, the worlds first internationally crewed (American and Russian) space mission.
In the 1980s, satellite communications expanded to carry television programs, and people were able to pick up the satellite signals on their home dish antennas. Satellites discovered an ozone hole over Antarctica, pinpointed forest fires, and gave us photographs of the nuclear power plant disaster at Chernobyl in 1986. Astronomical satellites found new stars and gave us a new view of the center of our galaxy.
In April 1981, the launch of the space shuttle Columbia ushered in a period of reliance on the reusable shuttle for most civilian and military space missions. Twenty-four successful shuttle launches fulfilled many scientific and military requirements until Jan. 28,1986, when just 73 seconds after liftoff, the space shuttle Challenger exploded. The crew of seven was killed, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from New Hampshire who would have been the first civilian in space.
The Space Shuttle was the first reusable spacecraft to carry people into orbit; launch, recover, and repair satellites; conduct cutting-edge research; and help build the International Space Station.
The Columbia disaster was the second shuttle tragedy. On Feb. 1, 2003, the shuttle broke apart while reentering the Earths atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. The disaster occurred over Texas, and only minutes before it was scheduled to land at the Kennedy Space Center. An investigation determined the catastrophe was caused by a piece of foam insulation that broke off the shuttles propellant tank and damaged the edge of the shuttles left wing. It was the second loss of a shuttle in 113 shuttle flights. After each of the disasters, space shuttle flight operations were suspended for more than two years.
Discovery was the first of the three active space shuttles to be retired, completing its final mission on March 9, 2011; Endeavour did so on June 1. The final shuttle mission was completed with the landing of Atlantis on July 21, 2011, closing the 30-year space shuttle program.
The Gulf War proved the value of satellites in modern conflicts. During this war, allied forces were able to use their control of the high ground of space to achieve a decisive advantage. Satellites were used to provide information on enemy troop formations and movements, early warning of enemy missile attacks, and precise navigation in the featureless desert terrain. The advantages of satellites allowed the coalition forces to quickly bring the war to a conclusion, saving many lives.
Space systems continue to become more and more integral to homeland defense, weather surveillance, communication, navigation, imaging, and remote sensing for chemicals, fires, and other disasters.
The International Space Station is a research laboratory in low Earth orbit. With many different partners contributing to its design and construction, this high-flying laboratory has become a symbol of cooperation in space exploration, with former competitors now working together.
The station has been continuously occupied since the arrival of Expedition 1 in November of 2000. The station is serviced by a variety of visiting spacecraft: the Russian Soyuz and Progress; the American Dragon and Cygnus; the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle; and formerly the Space Shuttle and the European Automated Transfer Vehicle. It has been visited by astronauts, cosmonauts, and space tourists from 17 different nations.
Space launch systems have been designed to reduce costs and improve dependability, safety, and reliability. Most U.S. military and scientific satellites are launched into orbit by a family of expendable launch vehicles designed for a variety of missions. Other nations have their own launch systems, and there is strong competition in the commercial launch market to develop the next generation of launch systems.
Modern space exploration is reaching areas once only dreamed about. Mars is focal point of modern space exploration, and manned Mars exploration is a long-term goal of the
United States. NASA is on a journey to Mars, with a goal of sending humans to the Red Planet in the 2030s.
NASA and its partners have sent orbiters, landers, and rovers, increasing our knowledge about the planet. The Curiosity Rover has gathered radiation data to protect astronauts, and the MARS 2020 Rover will study the availability of oxygen and other Martian resources.
Originally posted here:
A Brief History of Space Exploration | The Aerospace Corporation
- Space exploration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- space exploration | Britannica.com [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Space Exploration News - Space News, Space Exploration ... [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Boy & Girl Scout Space Exploration Merit Badge [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Articles about Space Exploration - latimes [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- ESA - Space for Kids - Life in Space - Space Exploration [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Space exploration New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Space exploration - Wikipedia for Schools [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Space Exploration - National Archives and Records ... [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- A Brief History of Space Exploration | The Aerospace ... [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Space Exploration: Crazy Far - Pictures, More From ... [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Space Exploration - Scientific American [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2016]
- Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- European Space Agency - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Space Exploration - U.S. Scouting Service Project [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2016]
- Space exploration - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2016]
- 50 Years of Presidential Visions for Space Exploration [Last Updated On: January 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 29th, 2017]
- Big Oil's Shortsighted Super Bowl Ad Gets Rocket Fuel Wrong - Inverse [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Obama gutted NASA. Here are 3 ways Trump can make space exploration great again - Conservative Review [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- New 'Life' Trailer Brings Terrifying Thrills from Mars (Exclusive) - Space.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- What Everyone Gets Wrong about Black History in the Space Age - Scientific American (blog) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Astronauts' Brains Are Changed By Spaceflight, MRI-Based Study Reveals - International Business Times [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Dassault Systemes Plans Space Exploration - I4U News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Cassini Captures Stunning View of Enceladus | Space Exploration ... - Sci-News.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Dassault Systemes sets eyes on space exploration, faster transport - Economic Times [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- TeamIndus launches Moonshot Wheels to inspire Indian rural ... - International Business Times, India Edition [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- NASA Official Highlights Risk of Manned-Spacecraft Efforts - Wall Street Journal [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Cabinet briefed on India-Vietnam Framework Agreement on outer space exploration - Daily News & Analysis [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Belarus invites Iran to cooperate in pharmaceutical industry, space exploration - Belarus News (BelTA) [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- New NASA Leadership Inherits Rejuvenated Space Exploration Program - eNews Park Forest [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- What Will Space Exploration Look Like Under Trump? - Law Street Media (blog) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Outgoing NASA Team Leaves Its Successors With Robust Options for Space Exploration - Center For American Progress [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Space exploration brought to life for pupils - Norfolk Eastern Daily Press [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Trump's Vision of Space Exploration - The New American [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Mechs and greater space exploration are on the way in Starbound's ... - PCGamesN [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Nuclear Reactors to Power Space Exploration - R & D Magazine [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- NASA spends $2mn on 'advanced life support tech' for deep space travel - RT [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Celebrating Space Exploration - Science NetLinks [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Congress is told, again, that NASA's exploration plans aren't sustainable - Ars Technica [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Could A Habitable Planet Feature A Habitable Moon? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Republicans Aim to Prioritize NASA Space Exploration Efforts Over Environmental Research - Independent Journal Review [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Turkmenistan Aims High as It Pledges Space Exploration - EurasiaNet [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- One huge step: Trump's plans to privatize 'low Earth orbit' and send NASA into deep space - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- How reusable rockets are paving the way for the next phase of space exploration - Mirror.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Space Startups Are Booming | Fortune.com - Fortune [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Mass Effect: Andromeda is About Building Meaningful Relationships and Space Exploration - SegmentNext [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Sen. Nelson Talks Space Exploration At Florida A&M University - WFSU [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Space exploration programs must continue - The Eagle [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- NASA selects new technologies for flight tests for future space exploration - Space Daily [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Nuclear reactors to power space exploration - Los Alamos Monitor [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Editorial: Exploring other planets can help us understand our own - Longmont Times-Call [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Why Does NASA Suddenly Want Humans On New Spacecraft's First Flight? - Vocativ [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Should Humans Leave Space Exploration To Robots? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Space Exploration - WGN Radio [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- EDITORIAL: Jumping at space travel - Indiana Daily Student [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- NASA's focus on using humans in space exploration is myopic at best, apocalyptic at worst! - International Business Times, India Edition [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Guest view: Aliens in Earth's neighborhood? - Irondequoit Post [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Why the 'ultimate wearables' lie in the future of space exploration - Wareable [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Darlington power plant helps fuel NASA's space exploration - CTV News [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Donald Trump Will Call For a Return of Human Space Exploration - Inverse [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- LEGO Announces 'Women of NASA' Set Celebrating Female Pioneers in Space Exploration - Babble (blog) [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- What Donald Trump Said About Space Travel During His Speech - Heavy.com [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Trump's call for human space exploration is hugely wasteful and pointless - Los Angeles Times [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Annexation of Crimea beats space exploration as Russians' proudest moment - StopFake.org [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- What is the fascination with space exploration? - Grand Valley Lanthorn [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Teachers attend space exploration conference, bring back lessons out of this world - Arlington Times [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Reader applauds space exploration pioneers - Fairfaxtimes.com [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Jeff Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Plans for Private Space Exploration - Wall Street Journal (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Amazon Chief Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Private Space Exploration Plans - Fox Business [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- When We Explore Space, We Go Together - Slate Magazine [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- If India or China Beats the US to Mars, It Will Feel Like a Military Defeat - Slate Magazine [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Future Tense Newsletter: Space Exploration Isn't Just About Scientific Discovery - Slate Magazine (blog) [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- How Barack Obama ruined NASA space exploration - The Hill (blog) [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- A Trinity professor will play a big role in space exploration - thejournal.ie [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- NASA Funds 133 Projects to Aid Deep Space Exploration - PC Magazine [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Congress Passes Space Exploration Act, Targets Mars - America Now [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: US congress approves $19.5 billion for NASA to get humans to Mars by 2033 - NTA News [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Otherworlds reveals visions of the solar system captured by robot spacecraft - ABC Online [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Exploring space on TV just as challenging - Arizona Daily Sun [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- UBCO professor shortlisted for space exploration - Salmon Arm ... - Salmon Arm Observer [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]