| Ever since the beginning of time, mankind has been | | | | until then, NASA plans to us the space shuttle fleet |
| fascinated with wonders of space. Before the | | | | to the year 2012. It is clear that mankind has |
| mid-1900s, all mankind could do was gaze at the stars | | | | devoted itself to the exploration of the unknown and |
| from Earth and wonder what it would be like to go | | | | that we are committed to find new planets on which |
| into space. Man would look through telescopes and | | | | man can live and prosper. An interesting spacecraft is |
| make theories on how the universe worked. | | | | the X-33, which is a single stage orbiter. The X-33 will |
| Even with growing knowledge in the field, it was not | | | | allow companies to put satellites in orbit for a |
| until 1957 when the first Earth orbiter, the Soviet's | | | | cheaper cost. |
| Sputnik 1, was sent into space and placed in orbit at | | | | Space travel does take its effect on humans though. |
| an altitude of 1,370 miles and weighed 184 pounds. | | | | Piloted space flights have to supply oxygen, food, |
| Later in that year, the Soviets sent Sputnik 2 into | | | | and water for their occupants and even longer flights |
| space with a dog named Laika. Laika was the first | | | | need to have a way to dispose of or recycle waste. |
| animal to venture into space. | | | | The even longer flights, spacecrafts will eventually |
| Then in 1985, the United States successfully sent | | | | need to become mostly self-sufficient. The |
| their very own satellite into space. In 1960, the | | | | astronauts will have to exercise and since the |
| Soviets launched two dogs into space and | | | | astronauts will be weightless, the shuttle will need to |
| successfully returned them to Earth. From this point | | | | provide more than just the core physical needs for |
| started the space race. The space race was a | | | | the astronauts to stay healthy. |
| challenge between the USSR and the United States | | | | The weight of the craft is so important that it plays |
| to see who could land a man on the moon first. | | | | a crucial role in the amount of food supplied by the |
| In 1961, the first man in space was cosmonaut Yuri | | | | spacecraft. Most food provided to the astronauts is |
| Gagarin who was in space for 60 minutes before | | | | dehydrated, which is rehydrated by a device that is |
| returning to Earth in Vostok 1 and was sent by the | | | | some what like a water gun, to save space as well |
| USSR. Astronaut Shepard flew the first manned | | | | as weight. |
| sub-orbital space-flight by the Americans. The first | | | | However, some foods are given in their conventional |
| true American orbital flight was by John Glen and he | | | | form such as fruits, candy, and bread. Water is |
| stayed in space for five hours in Mercury 6 in 1962. | | | | usually provided by fuel cells that also provide |
| Then in 1963, the USSR sent the first woman into | | | | electricity to the whole ship. The reaction between |
| space; her name was Valentina Tereshkova-Nikaleva. | | | | Hydrogen and oxygen provides the electricity and |
| They also had the first person to take a space-walk | | | | creates water as well. A small amount of water is |
| in 1965. In 1968, the National Aeronautics and Space | | | | also carried onboard in case of emergencies. |
| Administration or NASA tested the first Saturn 5 | | | | Space exploration has come a long way since the |
| rocket, which would be used for the Apollo missions. | | | | beginning. Mankind has gone to the moon and back, |
| The first manned Apollo missions and the first flight | | | | we have sent probes to the furthest reaches of our |
| around the moon took place in 1968. Finally, on July | | | | solar system, we have sent a robot to roam the |
| 21, 1969, the United States placed the first man on | | | | Martian terrain, we have made spaceships that are |
| the moon winning the space race. | | | | reusable, and we can see other galaxies that are |
| Now, the future of space exploration depends on | | | | billions of light years away. Now we brainstorm on |
| many factors. Some of these factors are as | | | | how to explore space even further. Man kind is |
| followed: how much technology advances, how | | | | destined to go to the far reaches of the universe |
| political forces change rivalries as well as partnerships | | | | and make contact with other life forms. With all |
| with other nations, and how important space | | | | things considered, humans are not far from colonizing |
| exploration is to the general public. NASA is working | | | | space. |
| on a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle, but until it is | | | | |