 Space, in general usage, that which is characterized by the property of extension; in astronomy, the region beyond the Earth's atmosphere or beyond the solar system: outer space.  Space was regarded for many thousands of years as having three dimensions: left and right, up and down, and forward and back

 The Russian Sputnik 1, launched on October 4, 1957, was the first artificial satellite put into orbit around the earth. This historic launch began an era of intensive space programmes by both the Soviet Union and the United States, a surge of interest sometimes called the “space race”.

 In the next three decades, hundreds of probes, satellites, and other missions were to follow Sputnik on the quest to explore both the wonders and the practical potential of space

Spacewalker with Manned Manoeuvring Unit  Astronaut Bruce McCandless floats freely above the earth, wearing a manned manoeuvring unit (MMU) during a shuttle mission. McCandless helped design the MMU and was the first to fly one. The MMU is propelled by small nitrogen thrusters controlled by the astronaut’s hands. Because no umbilical cord attaches the astronaut to the spacecraft, the MMU gives much greater mobility than was available to earlier spacewalkers.

 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, better known as NASA, was created in NASA conducts aerospace research and space exploration, including the shuttle programme. Here, the space shuttle Discovery is poised for its launch in September The success of Discovery’s mission encouraged the United States to continue the space shuttle programme energetically, despite the destruction of Challenger.

 This image of the International Space Station (ISS) was taken from Space Shuttle Atlantis in February 2001 after it had delivered to the ISS the US Destiny laboratory module, the centrepiece for future research in the station

 The Hubble Space Telescope, free of the distorting effects of the earth’s atmosphere, has an unprecedented view of distant galaxies. It was placed in orbit in 1990, but scientists discovered soon after the telescope became operational that its 240-cm (94.5-in) primary mirror had been wrongly constructed. However, a repair mission completed by space shuttle astronauts in December 1993 successfully installed corrective optics.

Hubble Space Telescope

M100 Galaxy as Seen by Hubble

Columbia Shuttle Disaster  On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart and burned up while re-entering the atmosphere. This photograph of the debris blazing across the sky was taken from the ground in Texas. All seven of Columbia's crew died

 The United States Space Camp in Huntsville, a city in northern Alabama, gives children the opportunity to experience the life of an astronaut. Activities at the camp include a simulated shuttle mission and rocket- building projects. The camp is hosted by the US Space and Rocket Center, a museum whose large collection of missiles and space devices traces the history of US aerospace development and space exploration

United states space camp

Comet Bombardment of Jupiter, 1994  This image, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, reveals the impact sites (dark spots near the centre of the image) created by two fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9. The fragments collided with Jupiter between July 16 and July 22, 1994, stirring up the planet’s atmosphere.

Comet Bombardment of Jupiter, 1994