What is the history of space exploration and what are its major milestones?

The history of space exploration began in 1957 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite in orbit around the earth. This event marked the beginning of the Space Race between the USSR and the United States. It was a time of great competition and technological advances in space exploration.

In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into space, while in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission. This achievement marked a major milestone in human history and firmly established the United States as a leader in space exploration.

Since then, space exploration has continued with the launch of various probes, orbiters, and rovers to explore the planets and moons within our solar system. Significant achievements include the successful landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars in 2012 and the New Horizons spacecraft flyby of Pluto in 2015. Additionally, the launch of the International Space Station in 1998 has allowed for the continued study of long-duration spaceflight and research in microgravity environments.

Space exploration has also led to numerous technological advancements, including the development of new materials, medical devices, and technologies that have improved our daily lives. The advent of commercial spaceflight has also opened up opportunities for space tourism and increased accessibility to space for private companies and organizations.