Space Exploration History

Study Notes

1950s-1960s: Space race between the United States and the Soviet Union
1957: Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite
1961: Soviet Union sends Yuri Gagarin, the first human, into space
1962: United States launches Mercury-Atlas 6, with John Glenn as the first American in orbit

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration): Established in 1958, responsible for civilian space exploration and research in the United States
Roscosmos: Established in 1992, responsible for space exploration and research in Russia
European Space Agency (ESA): Established in 1975, responsible for space exploration and research in Europe
Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA): Established in 1993, responsible for space exploration and research in China

Apollo 11: First manned mission to land on the Moon (1969)
Voyager 1: Launched in 1977, currently the most distant human-made object in space
International Space Station (ISS): Launched in 1998, a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit
Curiosity Rover: Launched in 2011, a robotic rover exploring Mars
New Horizons: Launched in 2006, flew by Pluto in 2015 and explored the Kuiper Belt

Private space companies: Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are developing reusable rockets and space tourism capabilities
Mars Exploration: NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon by 2024 and establish a sustainable presence on Mars in the 2030s
Deep Space Exploration: NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft are being developed for deep space missions, including a trip to Mars in the 2030s
Space Colonization: Concepts like the SpaceX Starship and NASA's lunar gateway are being developed to establish permanent human settlements in space

The 1950s-1960s marked a significant space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, into orbit.
Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space in 1961, launching the Soviet Union's early achievements.
The United States' Mercury-Atlas 6 mission in 1962 featured John Glenn, the first American in orbit.

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) was established in 1958 to oversee civilian space exploration and research in the United States.
Roscosmos was established in 1992 as Russia's principal body for space exploration and research.
The European Space Agency (ESA), founded in 1975, coordinates space activities among European nations.
China established the Chinese National Space Administration (CNSA) in 1993 to manage its space exploration efforts.

Apollo 11 achieved the first manned Moon landing in 1969, marking a key milestone in space history.
Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 is currently the most distant human-made object in space.
The International Space Station (ISS), launched in 1998, serves as a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit, promoting international cooperation.
Launched in 2011, the Curiosity Rover is tasked with Mars exploration and conducting scientific research.
New Horizons, initiated in 2006, provided humanity's first close-up images of Pluto in 2015 and continues to study the Kuiper Belt.

Private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are pioneering reusable rocket technology and space tourism.
NASA's Artemis program targets the return of humans to the Moon by 2024, with aspirations for a sustainable presence on Mars by the 2030s.
NASA is developing the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft for deep space missions, including potential missions to Mars in the 2030s.
Innovative concepts for space colonization, such as SpaceX's Starship and NASA's lunar gateway, are in development to support permanent human settlements beyond Earth.