Published By: Preeti Kaul

Five Unforgettable Moments in the History of Space Exploration

We take you through the iconic landmarks in the timeline of space exploration with this story.

The latter half of the twentieth century marks the age of space odyssey for the human race. It opened the doors to the mysteries of the universe which had mesmerized and ignited the curiosity of people since the beginning of time. The timeline of space exploration has seen a lot of incredible and historical events since the launch of Sputnik-I in 1957. Started as a result of the rivalry between the two superpowers of the cold war era, space science has come a long way.

In 1961, the Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space from Russia, putting the US under a tremendous pressure to put the first man on the moon before the end of the decade. Over the years, the countries have gone beyond traditional rivalries and helping each other in endeavours associated with the outer space. In the spirit of fraternal brotherhood and most remarkable feat achieved by humankind, let’s take a look at the five iconic moments in the history of space.

First Steps on the Moon

On July 20, 1969, became one of the most historical days of the world when America launched three astronauts on the surface of the moon through Apollo 11. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were the part of the first crewed lunar mission, and Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the surface of the moon. The event was witnessed by the world through their televisions and could still be watched online.

Voyager I, Man-Made Satellite beyond the Solar System

Launched in 1977, Voyager I was launched into the outer space to study more profound mysteries of the solar system. It successfully operated for thirty-six years and sent back valuable information about the unchartered territories of the solar system. In 2013, Voyager I successfully crossed the edge of the solar system and entered the interstellar space.

Hubble Space Telescope 

The powerful optical telescope is a sophisticated device which was launched in April 1990 into the lower orbit of the earth. Hubble, the observatory is situated at the distance of 340 miles above the earth’s surface, providing the best view of the heaven above us.

SpaceShipOne, First Private Spacecraft

The world witnessed a new era of space travel when in 2004, first non-governed manned spacecraft flew 62.5 miles above the earth’s surface and completed three successful flights. It won a $10 million Ansari X prize for its experimental space journey.

International Space Station

ISS is an integrated artificial satellite which is a habitable area for astronomers who live and conduct studies in it. It was launched in 1998 as a part of various intergovernmental agreements.

These landmarks are just the beginning of an adventure unfurling discoveries and information with each space program.