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