THE HISTORY OF SPACE EXPLORATION

For centuries humanity has engaged in a virtual exploration of space through astronomical observation, aided by astounding scientifi c and technological advances. In more than sixty years since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, more than 6,000 functioning satellites have been launched into Earth's orbit and beyond - some to the farthest reaches of the Solar System - and more than 540 people have travelled into space.