Human and the Cosmos

Our Early Accomplishments in Space Exploration

by Christian Cruz, age 11

From Copernicus to Neil deGrasse Tyson, it seems as though humans have always been interested in going to space. The idea of space exploration began in 1957, with the launch of the first artificial satellite.

The moon was the first target for space probes. The U.S.S.R.’s Luna 2 was the first spacecraft to reach the moon in 1959. The radio controlled Lunokhods traveled on the moon’s surface in 1970 and 1973. Space probes bring back information from space.

The first man on the moon was U.S. astronaut Neil Armstrong in 1969. He made history when he stepped from Apollo 11’s lunar module onto the moon. The moon has not been the only subject of space exploration. Space enthusiasts and scientists have also been interested in exploring Venus.

Venus is the planet closest to Earth, about 26 million miles away. The planet’s surface is hidden by thick clouds, making it difficult to get a clear picture by telescope or spacecraft. In 1967 the probe Venera 4 found more information about Venus’ surface by parachuting through the gaseous clouds. In 1970 several Russian probes landed on Venus and took measurements of their surroundings. The burning temperatures of over 840 degrees Fahrenheit made it impossible for any of the spacecrafts to survive for more than an hour. Using radar, probes have made possible the mapping of Venus.

Since the launch of the first artificial satellite in 1957, the idea of space exploration has been made possible. People have continued to discover more about space. With today’s technology, there is no doubt more discoveries in space exploration are just around the corner.

[Source: The Kingfisher Children’s Encyclopedia; NASA ]