What are the major milestones in the history of space travel and exploration?

The history of space travel and exploration is a story of human ingenuity, courage, and determination. From the first unmanned rocket launches to the International Space Station, the milestones in space exploration have pushed the limits of what we thought was possible.

Here are some of the major milestones in the history of space travel and exploration:

• 1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first artificial satellite.
• 1961: Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human to travel into space aboard Vostok 1.
• 1969: The United States successfully lands the first humans on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
• 1971: The Soviet Union launches the first space station, Salyut 1.
• 1986: The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after launch, killing all seven crew members.
• 1998: The first components of the International Space Station are launched into orbit.
• 2012: NASA's Curiosity rover lands on Mars to explore the planet's surface.
• 2020: NASA's Perseverance rover lands on Mars to search for signs of ancient microbial life and prepare for human exploration.

These milestones in space exploration have not only expanded our knowledge of the universe, but have also led to numerous technological advancements that have improved life on Earth.