Space Exploration Telescope: a device built to observe distant objects by making them appear closer. (Italian scientist Galileo used a telescope to look at the moon, he saw that the moon was not perfectly round.) Probes: an unmanned exploratory spacecraft designed to transmit information about its environment. Rocket: vehicle designed to travel through space or launch a spacecraft. Space Shuttle: a rocket-launched spacecraft, able to land like an unpowered aircraft, used to make repeated journeys between the earth and earth orbit.

Space Exploration The race for space began in the 1950’s, between the Soviet Union and USA for supremacy in spaceflight capability. The Soviets launched the probe, Sputnik 1, into orbit in 1957. In 1958, the USA responded by launching its own probe, Explorer I. In July of 1975 with relations between the US and the Soviet Union beginning to thaw, the first US-Soviet joint mission occurred with the Apollo-Soyez project. The Space Race was effectively over.

Sputnik 1 Russians launched first probe October 1957 Space Exploration Sputnik 1 Russians launched first probe October 1957 Americans launched Explorer I (a satellite) January 1958

Space Exploration In April 1961, Soviets launched Vostik I carrying the first human into space. Yuri Gagarin made 1 orbit around Earth.

Space Exploration The objectives USA’s Project Mercury program, which made six manned flights from 1961 to 1963, were: To orbit a manned spacecraft around Earth To investigate man's ability to function in space To recover both man and spacecraft safely In May 1961, the American Mercury program launched Freedom 7 with Alan Shepard for a 15 ½ minute flight, which flew 116 miles high, but did not orbit Earth. In February 1962, the American Mercury program had its first orbital success with the Friendship 7 when John Glenn circled the earth three times.

Space Exploration NASA’s Gemini Program proved: astronauts can spend many days in space. astronauts can go outside a spacecraft in a spacesuit. two spacecraft can connect together in space. On June 3, 1965, Ed White became the first American to conduct a spacewalk on Gemini 4.

Space Exploration NASA’s Apollo program’s mission was to walk on the moon. It resulted in American astronauts making a total of 11 spaceflights and walking on the moon.

Space Exploration In May 1973, USA launched Skylab, the first research space station that orbited the earth. Its purpose was to get information about the earth and test man’s reactions to long stretches of time in space.

Space Exploration In 1977, NASA’s Voyager Project’s primary mission was the exploration of Jupiter and Saturn. After making a string of discoveries there -- such as active volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io and intricacies of Saturn's rings -- the mission was extended. Voyager 2 went on to explore Uranus and Neptune, and is still the only spacecraft (probe) to have visited those outer planets. 

Space Exploration The space shuttle era began with the launch of Columbia on April 12, 1981, and ended with the landing of Atlantis on July 21, 2011. In addition to Columbia and Atlantis, NASA's space shuttle fleet included Challenger, Discovery, and Endeavour.

Space Exploration In April 1990, space shuttle Discovery deployed the Hubble telescope, the first major optical telescope to be placed in space

Space Exploration Launched in 1998 and involving the U.S., Russia, Canada, Japan, and the participating countries of the European Space Agency, the International Space Station Program brings together international flight crews, multiple launch vehicles, globally distributed launch, operations, training, engineering, and development facilities; communications networks, and the international scientific research community.

Space Exploration In July 1999, the Chandra X-ray Observatory was launched by space shuttle Columbia. It allows scientists from around the world to obtain unprecedented X-ray images of exotic environments to help understand the structure and evolution of the universe.

Space Exploration In November 2011, Curiosity (the Mars Science Laboratory) was launched with its mission to determine the planet's "habitability“.