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Space exploration is the use of astronomy and space technology to explore outer space. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft.
While the observation of objects in space—known as astronomy—pre-dates reliable recorded history, it was the development of large liquid-fueled rocket engines during the early 20th century that allowed physical space exploration to become a reality. Common rationales for exploring space include advancing scientific research, uniting different nations, ensuring the future survival of humanity and developing military/strategic advantages against other countries. Various criticisms of Space Exploration are sometimes made, generally on cost or safety grounds.
Space exploration has often been used as a proxy competition for geopolitical rivalries such as the Cold War. The early era of space exploration was driven by a "Space Race" between the Soviet Union and the United States; the launch of the first man-made object to orbit the Earth, the USSR's Sputnik 1, on October 4, 1957, and the first Moon landing by the American Apollo 11 craft on July 20, 1969 are often taken as the boundaries for this initial period. The Soviet space program achieved many of the first milestones under Sergey Korolyov and Kerim Kerimov, including the first human spaceflight (Yuri Gagarin aboard Vostok 1) in 1961, the first spacewalk (by Aleksei Leonov) in 1965, and the launch of the first space station (Salyut 1) in 1971. However, the first man-made objects to reach space were Nazi-Germany's V2 rockets, used as early as the Second World War.
After the first 20 years of exploration, focus shifted from one-off flights to renewable hardware, such as the Space Shuttle program, and from competition to cooperation as with the International Space Station. From the 1990s onwards, private interests began promoting space tourism. Larger government programs have advocated manned missions to the Moon and possibly Mars sometime after 2010.
Where can we find the history of space exploration?*
Q. The history of space exploration. I don't know where to find, and i hoped you all can answer this question of mine. Thanks!!! ^.^
Asked by susan k - Thu Jul 10 06:36:53 2008 - - 5 Answers - 0 Comments
How can Technology be used Destructively? Why is Space exploration a bad hazard?*
Q. I am in a Science Seminar class for my senior year of 2008 and we have to debate on whether it's a good or a bad deal to go and explore space. I am on the "con" side so I was hoping if I can get some help on this.
Asked by Fed-Ex - Wed Oct 17 10:49:03 2007 - - 7 Answers - 1 Comments
A. You've been given the wrong side of the debate which is going to make things harder.The main easily refuted argument is that we should be spending the money here (which ignores the fact that space spending is very small and that not spending the money on space will make solving our problems harder).Space technology could be used to divert an asteroid towards the Earth but if we don't have space technology it'll just be a matter of time before that happens naturally so it doesn't seem like such a good argument.
Answered by bestonnet_00 - Sat Oct 20 00:45:26 2007
What's the use of manned space exploration?*
Q. We've gotten lots of great science from unmanned space probes, the Hubble telescope, etc., but manned space exploration gives very little extra science for a huge extra price tag. What's the point?Don't tell me we're getting ready to live in space after the Earth becomes uninhabitable. First, any space colony will depend on supplies from Earth for the forseeable future. If our society collapses, the space colony is toast. Second, it's not credible that the government is planning for the distant future when space colonies can become self-sufficient, when they're not even bothering to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now!
Asked by rainfingers - Mon Sep 25 17:12:28 2006 - - 9 Answers - 0 Comments
A. Good, tough question. I like those. :>You are right on about the cost-benefit ratio of manned vs unmanned space. I'm all for space industry and colonization, but I've reached the conclusion that the manned program, at least, is really little more than a PR show, at best. At it's very best, it helps keep the value of our exports up, and provides business to various high tech / aerospace contractors. This benefit shouldn't be automatically dismissed: China, for example, has significant problems with it's growing economy, and with poverty, but is choosing to go ahead with a significant manned space effort now, for economic and national security reasons. (1.)However. I don't think this is the best argument to support our tech sector.…
[cont.*]Answered by wm_omnibus - Mon Sep 25 18:06:48 2006
Untidy Glasgow elections*
Apollo
2008-07-17 17:02:15
Yet another case of someone without two brain cells to rub together - but still good for a bit of a laugh on its way to the (recycle) bin. And I managed to make a post that included by-elections, space exploration, and history, ...
Citizens for Space Exploration Appreciation Luncheon*
unknown
2008-07-08 18:16:02
The Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership hosted a luncheon at Space Center Houston on July 2 to recognize the Texas Travelers who participated in Citizens for Space Exploration's recent visit to Washington, DC.
The Global Exploration Strategy*
unknown
2008-07-17 10:29:15
Sustainable space exploration is a challenge that no one nation can do on its own. This is why fourteen space agencies have developed The Global Exploration Strategy: The Framework for Coordination, which presents a vision for robotic ...
