Going to space
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Could humans travel to Mars one day? Check out the latest developments in space exploration.
Exploring space
There are many reasons to explore and research outer space. Exploration helps us to understand and unravel the mysteries of our universe and the origins of our solar system. It also helps in the advances of science, computers, mechanics and engineering, all of which affect our daily lives.
Today, both manned and unmanned spacecrafts enter outer space. The furthest a manned spacecraft has ever flown is to the moon. Robotic, unmanned spacecrafts, which are controlled from Earth, currently travel much further than manned spacecrafts.
A little bit of history
People have been studying the stars and outer space since the beginning of time. It wasn't until the '50s however, that humans first lifted off. Some of the most historic moments in space exploration are:-
- The launch of Sputnik 1, the first ever man-made object to leave the Earth's atmosphere, in 1957. The satellite transmitted information via radio signals to scientists for three weeks.
- In 1961, Russian army major Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin became the first person to make it into outer space. His space craft, Vostok, orbited the Earth for 108 minutes and travelled more than 17,000 miles per hour before touching back down to Earth.
- Alexei Leonov was the first astronaut to perform a spacewalk in 1965.
- In 1969 American astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first people to step foot on the moon.
Latest news
Where no clown has gone before
On 30th September Guy Liliberte blasted off in to space. As the founder of Cirque de Soleil, he became the first clown to ever go into orbit. Whilst on board the ship he put on a two hour show for charity. His skit even featured link ups with artists including Shakira, Joss Stone and U2.
International Space Station (ISS)
The ISS is the largest satellite ever to be built. It is based in space and serves as a research laboratory for experiments in biology, physics, astronomy and meteorology. Spacecrafts can also dock there so that astronauts can carry out research during long term missions and check that their equipment and craft are in good condition.
The ISS orbits Earth around 16 times a day. If you’re lucky you can even spot it from your home. Track the ISS here.
Want to see what the ISS looks like? Watch the tour.
Atlantis
On 16th November, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is hoping to launch its latest shuttle, The Atlantis, to the ISS. The mission will last 11 days and will mark the 160th American manned space flight. During the astronauts' time in space, they will take part in at least three spacewalks to set up equipment around the station.
Mission to the moon and Mars
In 2006, NASA announced a new project called the Global Exploration Strategy. The project involves building a piece of architecture to use as a base on the moon so that astronauts can conduct research there.
At one point, NASA also hopes to train astronauts for a 180 day stay on the moon. This will prepare them for a journey to Mars! Don’t hold your breath just yet though - the mission doesn’t launch until 2020.
Next week, NASA are planning to launch their new Ares 1 rocket for a two minute test flight. The rocket was built with the hope that one day it will be able to take astronauts to the moon and Mars! Watch this space.
