History of Space Exploration

Space Exploration

During the centuries when space travel was only a fantasy, researchers in the sciences of astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, meteorology, and physics developed an understanding of the solar system, the stellar universe, the atmosphere of the earth, and the probable environment in space.

Despite the scientific foundations laid in earlier ages, however, space travel did not become possible until the advances the 20th century provided - rocket propulsion, guidance and control for space vehicles.

Click here to learn about the history of space exploration, from satellites and human lunar exploration to our image gallery and video from the Apollo missions.