20th-Century Space Exploration: Key Milestones and Challenges

Pioneering Launches and Planetary Exploration

The 20th century witnessed groundbreaking advancements in space exploration. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and Mikhail Pomortsev laid the theoretical foundation for rocketry. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, igniting the space race.

Human Spaceflight and Lunar Missions

A significant milestone was Yuri Gagarin's orbit around Earth in 1961. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the Moon in 1969. NASA's Space Shuttle program, launched in 1981, made space travel more routine.

Uncharted Territories and Challenges

Ambitious plans for space stations and Mars expeditions were conceived but faced challenges. The Challenger disaster in 1986 highlighted the risks involved. Exploration of Uranus and Neptune by the Voyager 2 spacecraft provided valuable insights.

Despite setbacks, the 20th century laid the groundwork for future space exploration, paving the way for the International Space Station and the search for extraterrestrial life.