The main reason for space exploration is to expand our knowledge of Earth and the solar system and universe beyond it. Artificial satellites and scientific spacecraft allow astronomers to observe radiation that can’t reach Earth’s atmosphere. They have provided valuable information on the Moon and planets, and have even reached the outer edge of our solar system (the Oort Cloud).
Space exploration also inspires people. Children and young adults who grow up in a world touched by the wonders of space travel are more likely to be captivated by fields like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)—and to pursue private- and public-sector careers that advance the frontiers of knowledge.
Human spaceflight is an amazing and dangerous undertaking, and it demands that the people on board have special abilities that few humans can possess. It is hard to imagine any other profession that requires such a broad range of skills and such an extraordinary degree of personal bravery and perseverance.
Scientists and engineers often work in teams to design, build, and test a spacecraft or mission. One person may be responsible for planning an investigation, while another collects and analyzes data. The team members communicate with each other using walkie-talkies or other electronic devices.
In the 1920s and 1930s, rocket enthusiasts in the United States and Soviet Union formed societies to study the possibility of interplanetary travel. These groups helped to give rise to the rocket science that was eventually used by Yuri Gagarin and other early astronauts.
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