space travel essay for class 7

• Essay On Space

Essay on Space

500+ words essay on space.

Space is one of the interesting topics that children want to know more about. When we hear news related to space missions or astronauts flying to space, it generates curiosity and interest among us to research it. Many questions arise in our minds. How strongly do astronauts feel the acceleration during take-off? What does it feel like to float weightlessly in the space station? How do astronauts sleep there? What do they eat? What does the Earth look like from space? The answers to all these questions are provided in this essay on space. Students must go through it to know more about space. The information provided will also help them to write an effective essay on space. Also, they can get a list of CBSE Essays on different topics to boost their essay-writing skills. Doing so helps them to score good marks in English, and they can also participate in various essay writing competitions.

Space Exploration: An Overview

We refer to the expanding universe with one simple word: space. But do we know what space is? Space is a continuous area or expanse which is free, available and unoccupied. It is a boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative positions and directions. It is the zone above and around our planet where there is no air to breathe or light to scatter. It is a vacuum devoid of matter where sound can not travel. The earth looks round only when seen from space. One can only see land and water. In space, there is no gravity due to which things float in the air.

Space travel began in 1957 with the launch of the first satellite, called Sputnik, by the former Soviet Union. Many satellites and probes are launched into space. This is done to observe the Earth, collect data on climate and weather, supply modern navigation systems, explore distant celestial bodies and perform scientific research related to space. Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to fly to space on 12th April 1961.

Sunita Williams in Space

Sunita Williams is an astronaut who has set several milestones working in space. She is best known for her work on the International Space Station and her spacewalks. She was also a Navy Captain in the United States and a highly versatile pilot. Sunita Williams set a new record for the longest space flight by a woman.

When Sunita Williams came to India for the first time, thousands of children and students got a chance to meet her. Sunita says that her friend Kalpana Chawla wanted to come to India and meet the children. She came to India to fulfil Kalpana’s dream. She shared her experience of space with the children. She said, “We cannot sit in one place in space. We keep floating in the spaceship from one end to another. In fact, water too doesn’t stay in one place. It floats around as blobs. To wash our face or hands we had to catch these blobs and wet paper with them. We ate in a very different way on the spacecraft. It was a fun experience when we float into the dining area of the spaceship and catch the floating food packet. In space, there was no need to use a comb as hair kept standing all the time. We were not able to walk, so we had to get used to floating around. We had to learn to do simple things differently. To stay in one place, we had to strap ourselves there. It was a lot of fun living in space but it was very difficult.”

Sunita also described the view of the earth when seen from the spaceship. She said, “the earth looks so beautiful and amazing. She could watch it for hours, from the window of the spaceship. She could clearly see the curved shape of the earth.”

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Essay on Space Exploration

• Updated on  
• Jun 11, 2022

For scientists, space is first and foremost a magnificent “playground” — an inexhaustible source of knowledge and learning that is assisting in the solution of some of the most fundamental existential issues concerning Earth’s origins and our place in the Universe. Curiosity has contributed significantly to the evolution of the human species. Curiosity along with the desire for a brighter future has driven humans to explore and develop from the discovery of fire by ancient ancestors to present space explorations.  Here is all the information you need and the best tips to write an essay on space exploration.

What is Space Exploration?  

Space Exploration is the use of astronomy and space technology to explore outer space. While astronomers use telescopes to explore space, both uncrewed robotic space missions and human spaceflight are used to explore it physically. One of the primary sources for space science is space exploration, which is similar to astronomy in its classical form. We can use space exploration to validate or disprove scientific theories that have been created on Earth. Insights into gravity, the magnetosphere, the atmosphere, fluid dynamics, and the geological evolution of other planets have all come from studying the solar system.

Advantages of Space Exploration 

It is vital to understand and point out the advantages of space exploration while writing an essay on the topic.

New inventions have helped the worldwide society. NASA’s additional research was beneficial to society in a variety of ways. Transportation, medical, computer management, agriculture technology, and consumer products all profit from the discoveries. GPS technology, breast cancer treatment, lightweight breathing systems, Teflon fibreglass, and other areas benefited from the space programme.

It is impossible to dispute that space exploration creates a large number of employment opportunities around the world. A better way to approach space exploration is to spend less and make it more cost-effective. In the current job market, space research initiatives provide far too much to science, technology, and communication. As a result, a large number of jobs are created.

Understanding

NASA’s time-travelling space exploration programmes and satellite missions aid in the discovery of previously unknown facts about our universe. Scientists have gained a greater understanding of Earth’s nature and atmosphere, as well as those of other space entities. These are the research initiatives that alert us to impending natural disasters and other related forecasts. It also paves the way for our all-powerful universe to be saved from time to time.

Disadvantages of Space Exploration

Highlighting disadvantages will give another depth to your essay on space exploration. Here are some important points to keep in mind.

Pollution is one of the most concerning issues in space travel. Many satellites are launched into space each year, but not all of them return. The remnants of such incidents degrade over time, becoming debris that floats in the air. Old satellites, various types of equipment, launch pads, and rocket fragments all contribute to pollution. Space debris pollutes the atmosphere in a variety of ways. Not only is space exploration harmful to the environment, but it is also harmful to space.

A government space exploration programme is expensive. Many people believe that space mission initiatives are economical. It should be mentioned that NASA just celebrated its 30th anniversary with $196.5 billion spent.

Space exploration isn’t a walk in the park. Many historical occurrences demonstrate the dangers that come with sad situations. The Challenger space shuttle accident on January 28, 1986, must be remembered. The spacecraft exploded in under 73 seconds, resulting in a tremendous loss of life and property.

Conclusion 

There are two sides to every coin. To survive on Earth, one must confront and overcome obstacles. Space exploration is an essential activity that cannot be overlooked, but it can be enhanced by technological advancements.

Space Exploration Courses

Well, if your dream is to explore space and you want to make a career in it, then maybe space exploration courses are the right choice for you to turn your dreams into reality.

Various universities offering space exploration courses are :

• Arizona State University, USA
• Bachelor of Science in Earth and Space Exploration
• Earth and Space Exploration (Astrobiology and Biogeosciences)
• Earth and Space Exploration (Astrophysics)
• University of Leicester, UK
• Space Exploration Systems MSc
• York University
• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Space Engineering

Tips to write an IELTS Essay  on Space Exploration

• The essay’s word count should be at least 250 words. There is no maximum word count. If you write less than 250 words, you risk submitting an incomplete essay. The goal should be to write a minimum of 250-words essay.
• There will be more than one question on the essay topic. The questions must be answered in their entirety. For example, for the topic ‘crime is unavoidable,’ you might see questions like 1. Speak in favour of and against this topic, 2. Give your opinion, and 3. Suggest some measures to avoid crime. This topic now has three parts, and all of them must be answered; only then will the essay be complete.
• Maintain a smooth writing flow. You can’t get off track and create an essay that has nothing to do with the issue. The essay must be completely consistent with the question. The essay’s thoughts should be tied to the question directly. Make use of instances, experiences, and concepts that you can relate to.
• Use a restricted number of linking phrases and words to organise your writing. Adverbial phrases should be used instead of standard linking words.
• The essay should be broken up into little paragraphs of at least two sentences each. Your essay should be divided into three sections: introduction, body, and conclusion. ( cheapest pharmacy to fill prescriptions without insurance )
• Don’t overuse complicated and long words in your essay. Make appropriate use of collocations and idioms. You must be able to use words and circumstances effectively.
• The essay must be written correctly in terms of grammar. In terms of spelling, grammar, and tenses, there should be no mistakes. Avoid using long, difficult sentences to avoid grammatical problems. Make your sentences succinct and to-the-point.
• Agree/disagree, discuss two points of view, pros and disadvantages, causes and solutions, causes and effects, and problem-solution are all examples of essay questions to practise.
• Make a strong beginning. The opening should provide the reader a good indication of what to expect from the rest of the article. Making a good first impression and piquing your attention starts with a good introduction.
• If required, cite facts, figures, and data. It’s best to stay away from factual material if you’re not sure about the statistics or stats. If you’re unsure about something, don’t write it down.
• The essay’s body should be descriptive, with all of the points, facts, and information listed in great detail.
• The conclusion is the most noticeable part. Your IELTS band is influenced by how you end your essay.
• Make sure there are no spelling errors. If you’re not sure how to spell something, don’t use it. It is preferable to utilize simple, everyday terms.
• Do not include any personal or casual remarks. It is strictly forbidden.
• Once you’ve finished drafting your essay, proofread it. It enables you to scan for minor and large grammar and spelling problems.

This was the Essay on Space Exploration. We hope it was helpful to you. Experts at Leverage Edu will help you out in writing your essays for IELTS, SOPs and more!

Sonal is a creative, enthusiastic writer and editor who has worked extensively for the Study Abroad domain. She splits her time between shooting fun insta reels and learning new tools for content marketing. If she is missing from her desk, you can find her with a group of people cracking silly jokes or petting neighbourhood dogs.

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space exploration

Introduction.

Astronauts (called cosmonauts in Russia and taikonauts in China) go through a thorough training program. They study math and science in classrooms. They learn to operate their spacecraft by using computer-controlled simulators. These devices present astronauts with conditions that they will later experience during actual flight. Astronauts also must improve their physical fitness. They make special trips in airplanes to get used to the feeling of weightlessness.

Humans cannot survive in outer space on their own. The environment is not the same as it is on Earth. Astronauts therefore travel in space in tightly sealed compartments. They bring their own supply of oxygen with them. Once in space, astronauts may conduct scientific experiments. They also may make repairs to their spacecraft or other equipment in space. They wear heavy space suits for work outside the spacecraft.

The Race into Space

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) took charge of the U.S. effort. The first U.S. satellite was launched on January 31, 1958. On May 5, 1961, astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr., became the first American to enter space. Shepard flew for only 15 minutes and did not complete an orbit around Earth. On February 20, 1962, John H. Glenn, Jr., completed three orbits around Earth. On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon.

Space Stations

Space stations are spacecraft that stay in orbit for a long period of time. Scientists can spend days or even months at a station doing experiments. The Soviet Union began launching space stations in 1971, and the United States followed in 1973. But these stations did not stay in space long. The Soviet station Mir stayed in orbit much longer, from 1986 to 2001.

In the 1990s the United States and 15 other countries agreed to build and operate a large space station together. The new project was called the International Space Station (ISS). Assembly of the ISS began in 1998. The first crew began to live in the station in November 2000.

Space Shuttles

In 1981 the United States launched the first reusable spacecraft, called a space shuttle . The main section had wings and was called the orbiter. Attached to the orbiter were rockets, fuel tanks, and oxygen tanks. These boosted the craft through the thickest part of Earth’s atmosphere. When their fuel was used up, the boosters fell into the ocean, where they could be recovered. At the end of a mission, the orbiter returned to Earth and landed like an airplane.

The first shuttle missions were successful. Astronaut Sally Ride became the first U.S. woman in space on June 18, 1983. But in January 1986 the shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff. All seven crew members were killed. NASA stopped the shuttle program to study the cause of the explosion.

The United States returned to space in September 1988 with the launching of the shuttle Discovery . In 1990 Discovery put the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit around Earth. This telescope sends clear images of space back to Earth. But then in February 2003 the shuttle Columbia broke apart as it was returning to Earth. The seven crew members on board were killed. The shuttle program did not resume until 2005.

NASA ended the shuttle program in 2011. Later missions to space were expected to use Russian spacecraft or new spacecraft built by U.S. companies.

Space Probes

Space probes are vehicles that carry scientific equipment but no passengers. Some make one-way voyages into deep space. Probes are controlled from Earth by radio. They send back their findings the same way.

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Short Essay And Paragraph On Space Travel Or Exploration

Following are some informative paragraphs about “Space Traveling”. This example essay is very valuable for students and children for examination preparation. I am sure you will find this according to your educational requirements.

Table of Contents

Five Short Paragraphs Essay About Space Travel For Children

Humans have been fascinated by space and the opportunity of visiting to other planets since the dawn of time. Only the richest people people could afford to travel to other countries for centuries, but now that space travel has advanced, anyone can explore the universe.

People are interested in space travel for a variety of reasons. Some people are fascinated by the prospect of seeing other planets and stars. Some people enjoy traveling, and they would enjoy the opportunity to travel in space. Others are curious because they believe future colonies will be established on Mars or another planet, necessitating more transportation between Earth and the colony.

Although space travel has advanced rapidly in recent years, it still faces numerous challenges. For example, we know very little about space beyond our solar system, so we need to learn more about it before we can send manned missions there. We must also ensure that spacecraft launches do not endanger life on Earth by releasing poisonous gases into the atmosphere, such as chlorine gas from rocket fuel, which can contribute to global warming.

Despite these issues, space travel is an exciting prospect that provides numerous opportunities for learning and exploration. I’m excited to see how far this field has progressed and to the day when people can visit to other planets as comfortably as they can to other countries.

Space travel is a dynamic and rapidly developing field with numerous learning and exploration opportunities. I’m excited to see how far this field has progressed and to the day when people can visit to other planets as quickly as they can to other countries. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Short Paragraph On Space Exploration

Here is a short essay on space exploration, meaning, and its importance for kids students

Take off for the last Apollo mission to the moon in 1972. NASA has announced that the New Horizons probe will fly past Pluto in 2015 after Voyager 1 passed it next year. But budget cuts threaten space exploration in this country. Will we be forced to wait until the 2020s shot to Mars? Space exploration is at serious risk due to insufficient funding.

As much as everyone would like to see missions like the NASA Curiosity land on Mars, the budget has to live up to this claim. Space exploration is not just about taking beautiful pictures of other planets; It’s also about understanding how our own planet works and what drives us – whether we’re looking at our oceans or studying asteroids coming our way or observing solar activity across our skies.

How can we learn more about ourselves if we are not ready? explore the universe that surrounds us? Despite the great interest in space exploration, NASA funding has declined by more than 20 percent in recent years. If budgets continue to be cut, the Mars mission will likely have to be postponed to at least 2020.

This standstill is bad news not only for those who dream of space travel, but also for those who just want to see the advancement of our species as a whole.

500 Words Paragraph On Space

write 500 words paragraph on space

Space is the vast, three-dimensional expanse that exists beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. It is a seemingly endless void that is home to an array of celestial bodies, including stars, planets, and galaxies. The study of space, known as astronomy, has been a subject of human curiosity for thousands of years. In recent times, advancements in technology have allowed us to explore space in ways that were once unimaginable.

The first human-made object to reach space was the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1 satellite, which was launched in 1957. Since then, space exploration has come a long way. We’ve sent spacecraft to explore the planets in our solar system, sent telescopes to study distant stars and galaxies, and sent probes to study the outer reaches of our solar system. We’ve also sent humans to space, first on the Soviet Union’s Vostok 1 in 1961 and later on NASA’s Apollo 11 in 1969, when the first humans set foot on the Moon.

One of the most important areas of space exploration is the study of our own planet. Satellites in orbit around the Earth have been used to study everything from weather patterns to the health of our oceans and forests. These satellites have also been used to study the Earth’s climate, which has been crucial in understanding the causes and effects of climate change.

Beyond our own planet, space exploration has given us a wealth of information about the other planets in our solar system. The Venus and Mars missions have been particularly successful in giving us a better understanding of the conditions on these planets, which are similar to Earth in some ways but very different in others. The Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its moons was another major achievement, giving us a wealth of information about the ringed planet and its many moons.

In recent years, space exploration has been focused on the search for life beyond Earth. The search for exoplanets, planets outside our solar system, has been a major focus of study. The discovery of thousands of exoplanets has opened up the possibility that some of these planets may be capable of supporting life. The search for extraterrestrial life is a major goal of space exploration and many missions are currently underway to try and find signs of life on other planets.

Space exploration has also brought about many benefits for humanity, including advances in technology, communications, and medicine. The development of satellites has revolutionized telecommunications, making it possible for people to communicate across long distances and in remote areas. Advancements in materials science and robotics, driven by the need for durable and reliable equipment in space, have led to many benefits in a wide range of industries.

In conclusion, space is a vast and mysterious realm that has captivated the human imagination for centuries. With each new discovery, we are given a glimpse into the incredible complexity and beauty of the universe. Space exploration has given us a wealth of knowledge about our own planet and the other celestial bodies that make up our solar system. It has also opened up the possibility of finding life beyond Earth and brought about many benefits for humanity. The possibilities for future space exploration are endless and we can look forward to many more exciting discoveries in the years to come.

Hello! Welcome to my Blog StudyParagraphs.co. My name is Angelina. I am a college professor. I love reading writing for kids students. This blog is full with valuable knowledge for all class students. Thank you for reading my articles.

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• Introduction

Motivations for space activity

• Major milestones
• Significant milestones in space exploration
• Tsiolkovsky
• Other space pioneers
• United States
• Soviet Union
• Preparing for spaceflight
• The first satellites
• International participation
• Involvement of industry
• Gemini and Voskhod
• The American commitment
• The Soviet response
• Interim developments
• The Apollo lunar landings and Apollo-Soyuz
• Space stations
• International space endurance records
• Summary of space stations launched since 1971
• The space shuttle
• Risks and benefits
• Selecting people for spaceflights
• Biomedical, psychological, and sociological aspects
• Solar and space physics
• Solar system exploration
• Exploring the universe
• Microgravity research
• Observing Earth
• Meteorology
• Positioning, navigation, and timing
• Military and national security uses of space
• Satellite telecommunications
• Remote sensing
• Commercial space transportation
• New commercial applications
• Issues for the future
• Crewed spaceflights, 1960–69
• Crewed spaceflights, 1970–79
• Crewed spaceflights, 1980–89
• Crewed spaceflights, 1990–99
• Crewed spaceflights, 2000–09
• Crewed spaceflights, 2010–2019
• Crewed spaceflights, 2020–

space exploration

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• Official Site of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
• Council on Foreign Relations - Space Exploration and U.S. Competitiveness
• National Geographic Society - The History of Space Exploration
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Space exploration and economic growth: New issues and horizons
• space exploration - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• space exploration - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

Recent News

space exploration , investigation, by means of crewed and uncrewed spacecraft , of the reaches of the universe beyond Earth ’s atmosphere and the use of the information so gained to increase knowledge of the cosmos and benefit humanity. A complete list of all crewed spaceflights, with details on each mission’s accomplishments and crew, is available in the section Chronology of crewed spaceflights .

Humans have always looked at the heavens and wondered about the nature of the objects seen in the night sky. With the development of rockets and the advances in electronics and other technologies in the 20th century, it became possible to send machines and animals and then people above Earth’s atmosphere into outer space . Well before technology made these achievements possible, however, space exploration had already captured the minds of many people, not only aircraft pilots and scientists but also writers and artists. The strong hold that space travel has always had on the imagination may well explain why professional astronauts and laypeople alike consent at their great peril, in the words of Tom Wolfe in The Right Stuff (1979), to sit “on top of an enormous Roman candle, such as a Redstone, Atlas , Titan or Saturn rocket , and wait for someone to light the fuse.” It perhaps also explains why space exploration has been a common and enduring theme in literature and art. As centuries of speculative fiction in books and more recently in films make clear, “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind” was taken by the human spirit many times and in many ways before Neil Armstrong stamped humankind’s first footprint on the Moon .

Achieving spaceflight enabled humans to begin to explore the solar system and the rest of the universe, to understand the many objects and phenomena that are better observed from a space perspective, and to use for human benefit the resources and attributes of the space environment . All of these activities—discovery, scientific understanding, and the application of that understanding to serve human purposes—are elements of space exploration . (For a general discussion of spacecraft , launch considerations, flight trajectories, and navigation , docking, and recovery procedures, see spaceflight .)

Overview of recent space achievements

Although the possibility of exploring space has long excited people in many walks of life, for most of the latter 20th century and into the early 21st century, only national governments could afford the very high costs of launching people and machines into space. This reality meant that space exploration had to serve very broad interests, and it indeed has done so in a variety of ways. Government space programs have increased knowledge, served as indicators of national prestige and power, enhanced national security and military strength, and provided significant benefits to the general public. In areas where the private sector could profit from activities in space, most notably the use of satellites as telecommunication relays, commercial space activity has flourished without government funding. In the early 21st century, entrepreneurs believed that there were several other areas of commercial potential in space, most notably privately funded space travel.

In the years after World War II , governments assumed a leading role in the support of research that increased fundamental knowledge about nature, a role that earlier had been played by universities, private foundations, and other nongovernmental supporters. This change came for two reasons. First, the need for complex equipment to carry out many scientific experiments and for the large teams of researchers to use that equipment led to costs that only governments could afford. Second, governments were willing to take on this responsibility because of the belief that fundamental research would produce new knowledge essential to the health, the security, and the quality of life of their citizens. Thus, when scientists sought government support for early space experiments, it was forthcoming. Since the start of space efforts in the United States , the Soviet Union , and Europe , national governments have given high priority to the support of science done in and from space. From modest beginnings, space science has expanded under government support to include multibillion-dollar exploratory missions in the solar system. Examples of such efforts include the development of the Curiosity Mars rover, the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its moons, and the development of major space-based astronomical observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope .

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in 1957 used the fact that his country had been first to launch a satellite as evidence of the technological power of the Soviet Union and of the superiority of communism . He repeated these claims after Yuri Gagarin ’s orbital flight in 1961. Although U.S. Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower had decided not to compete for prestige with the Soviet Union in a space race, his successor, John F. Kennedy , had a different view. On April 20, 1961, in the aftermath of the Gagarin flight, he asked his advisers to identify a “space program which promises dramatic results in which we could win.” The response came in a May 8, 1961, memorandum recommending that the United States commit to sending people to the Moon , because “dramatic achievements in space…symbolize the technological power and organizing capacity of a nation” and because the ensuing prestige would be “part of the battle along the fluid front of the cold war.” From 1961 until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, competition between the United States and the Soviet Union was a major influence on the pace and content of their space programs. Other countries also viewed having a successful space program as an important indicator of national strength.

Even before the first satellite was launched, U.S. leaders recognized that the ability to observe military activities around the world from space would be an asset to national security. Following on the success of its photoreconnaissance satellites, which began operation in 1960, the United States built increasingly complex observation and electronic-intercept intelligence satellites. The Soviet Union also quickly developed an array of intelligence satellites, and later a few other countries instituted their own satellite observation programs. Intelligence-gathering satellites have been used to verify arms-control agreements, provide warnings of military threats, and identify targets during military operations, among other uses.

In addition to providing security benefits, satellites offered military forces the potential for improved communications, weather observation, navigation, timing, and position location. This led to significant government funding for military space programs in the United States and the Soviet Union. Although the advantages and disadvantages of stationing force-delivery weapons in space have been debated, as of the early 21st century, such weapons had not been deployed , nor had space-based antisatellite systems—that is, systems that can attack or interfere with orbiting satellites. The stationing of weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies is prohibited by international law .

Governments realized early on that the ability to observe Earth from space could provide significant benefits to the general public apart from security and military uses. The first application to be pursued was the development of satellites for assisting in weather forecasting . A second application involved remote observation of land and sea surfaces to gather imagery and other data of value in crop forecasting, resource management, environmental monitoring, and other applications. The U.S., the Soviet Union, Europe, and China also developed their own satellite-based global positioning systems , originally for military purposes, that could pinpoint a user’s exact location, help in navigating from one point to another, and provide very precise time signals. These satellites quickly found numerous civilian uses in such areas as personal navigation, surveying and cartography, geology, air-traffic control , and the operation of information-transfer networks. They illustrate a reality that has remained constant for a half century—as space capabilities are developed, they often can be used for both military and civilian purposes.

Another space application that began under government sponsorship but quickly moved into the private sector is the relay of voice, video, and data via orbiting satellites. Satellite telecommunications has developed into a multibillion-dollar business and is the one clearly successful area of commercial space activity. A related, but economically much smaller, commercial space business is the provision of launches for private and government satellites. In 2004 a privately financed venture sent a piloted spacecraft, SpaceShipOne , to the lower edge of space for three brief suborbital flights. Although it was technically a much less challenging achievement than carrying humans into orbit, its success was seen as an important step toward opening up space to commercial travel and eventually to tourism . More than 15 years after SpaceShipOne reached space, several firms began to carry out such suborbital flights. Companies have arisen that also use satellite imagery to provide data for business about economic trends . Suggestions have been made that in the future other areas of space activity, including using resources found on the Moon and near-Earth asteroids and the capture of solar energy to provide electric power on Earth , could become successful businesses.

Most space activities have been pursued because they serve some utilitarian purpose, whether increasing knowledge, adding to national power, or making a profit . Nevertheless, there remains a powerful underlying sense that it is important for humans to explore space for its own sake, “to see what is there.” Although the only voyages that humans have made away from the near vicinity of Earth—the Apollo flights to the Moon—were motivated by Cold War competition, there have been recurrent calls for humans to return to the Moon, travel to Mars, and visit other locations in the solar system and beyond. Until humans resume such journeys of exploration, robotic spacecraft will continue to serve in their stead to explore the solar system and probe the mysteries of the universe.

Space Exploration History and Prospects Essay

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The early period of space exploration was majorly driven by the United States and the Soviet Union. The landmark for this period took place when the first human-made object called Sputnik 1 was launched to orbit the Earth in 1957 (Guterman, 2004). Before 1957, there was little knowledge about space although studies of the solar system had begun. However, with the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in America, global space curiosity was ignited. Despite the considerable interest in space exploration, there are significant risks associated with it; among them: unpredictable and varying temperatures and dangerous radiation which can cause such diseases as cancer (Guterman, 2004). Therefore, although there are substantial benefits associated with space exploration, it poses substantial benefits to humanity.

The environment found in space is not conducive to the habitation of human beings. Thus, human flights to space pose challenges to astronauts, such as contact to hazards like dangerous radiation, acute exposure to chronic carbon dioxide. Other imminent threats include bone fractures due to the changes induced by the spaceflight and the intolerance of the orthostatic due to immense interaction with gravity. Further risks include the changes of vision which are caused by the spacecraft. Therefore, proper space gear is required to protect the astronauts from those threats. For instance, the atmosphere on Mars is warmer and thicker than on Earth due to the significant amounts of carbon dioxide in its sky which makes it dangerous for humans (Griffin, 2007). The spacecraft should, therefore, be designed in such a way that it protects people as they strive to satisfy their inquisitiveness.

When astronauts leave the Earth’s service, they are exposed to major threats due to radiation. They are, therefore, at the highest risk of contracting cancer, damaging the central nervous system, and other degenerative diseases. Cancer is mainly caused when an astronaut is exposed to high-energy protons and nuclei which will change the human Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and cause mutations of the cells in the body. Studies have shown that exposure to such radiation in various strengths and doses leads to the development of degenerative diseases and cancer (Haynes & McKay, 2002). The evidence, therefore, shows that space exploration is an endeavor that is associated with high risks (Haynes & McKay, 2002). Other dangers originate from the prospects of the botch of the life sustenance systems.

The unwavering interest of humanity to conquer space has been enduring and universal because it is a sign of national prestige. Nations are driven to discover new territories and extend the boundaries beyond the technical and scientific limits. The unquenchable desire to challenge, explore, and conquer the unknown has delivered benefits to human society for centuries. The exploration of space assists in addressing the central questions about humanity’s place in the history of the universe and the solar system. By addressing those challenges related to the exploration of space, technology is expanded; new industries are created as well as fostering a peaceful relationship with other countries. Exploration and curiosity are core to the humankind spirit, and they cannot, therefore, be separated from humanity (Haynes & McKay, 2002). Therefore, people are willing to forego the risks associated with the exploration to fulfill their innate desire.

The Martian environment is hostile to an extent that it makes life on its surface unbearable. Mars, or the Red Planet, has an atmosphere that hardly protects the ground from radiation that originates from space and the sun. The surface of the planet has harsh chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide which pervade the soil (NASA, 2020). The liquid water, an important ingredient for the survival of humanity, does not exist on the planet for long, quickly evaporating or freezing to sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, it shows that the planet Mars does not support life, thus making it difficult for the astronauts to survive there. However, since it is a biocompatible planet, scientists are trying to unravel whether its unchangeable astrophysical parameters would permit the maintenance of warmer and thicker carbon dioxide (Iacomino, 2019). Although it has an average temperature of minus sixty, it might possess a significant amount of materials that can support life (Griffin, 2007). So, in case scientists successfully observe these findings and experiment on them, inventing some useful gear and other equipment, it is likely to be possible to make more prolonged and fruitful trips on Mars.

The focus of the space agency in New Zealand on commercial opportunities and the favorable coverage it receives from the media has given it an advantage. Moreover, the fact that it is domiciled within the Ministry of Employment, and Business Innovation, has provided a basis for the development of space tourism. The country will face a myriad of cultural, environmental, and geopolitical outcomes for being the launching state for space exploration (Scott, 2020). The state is the launching site will have implications on the country’s tourism branding, and sustainability. The slogan “100% Pure New Zealand’s tourism brand,” which has been in use since 1999, has been receiving stinging criticism due to the reports that it has been participating in the prevalent degradation of the environment in the nation (Scott, 2020). Lack of legislation and the effects associated with that have raised major concerns in the state.

Although there are several risks connected to space exploration, the benefits outweigh the demerits of the exercise. Scientists are working day and night to reveal ways of mitigating the space exploration risks. Therefore, space missions mustn’t be stopped so that nations can continue getting enriched scientifically. Space exploration has increased technology more, especially satellite technology, and quenched the human desire to satisfy human curiosity.

Guterman, B. (2004). An interview with NASA chief historian Steven J. Dick [PDF document]. Web.

Griffin, M. (2007). The real reasons we explore space . Air and Space . Web.

Haynes, R., & McKay, C. (2002). The implantation of life on Mars: Feasibility and motivation . Advances in Space Research, 12 (4), 133-140. Web.

Iacomino, C. (2019). Commercial space exploration: Potential contributions of private actors to space exploration programs . Springer.

NASA Solar System Exploration (2020). Top 10 sinister solar system facts. Web.

Scott, M. (2020). A space tourism destination: environmental, geopolitical and tourism branding considerations for New Zealand as a ‘launch state’ , Journal of Sustainable Tourism. Web.

• The Future of Space Exploration
• Privatization of Human Space Flight
• Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
• A Trip to Mars: Mass Facts
• The 1957 UK Windscale Nuclear Accident
• Risk Management in the International Space Station
• Venus: The Object for Research and Space Missions
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History of Space Travel

Learn about the history of humans traveling into space.

The first earthling to orbit our planet was just two years old, plucked from the streets of Moscow barely more than a week before her historic launch. Her name was Laika. She was a terrier mutt and by all accounts a good dog. Her 1957 flight paved the way for space exploration back when scientists didn’t know if spaceflight was lethal for living things.

Humans are explorers. Since before the dawn of civilization, we’ve been lured over the horizon to find food or more space, to make a profit, or just to see what’s beyond those trees or mountains or oceans. Our ability to explore reached new heights—literally—in the last hundred years. Airplanes shortened distances, simplified travel, and showed us Earth from a new perspective. By the middle of the last century, we aimed even higher.

Our first steps into space began as a race between the United States and the former Soviet Union, rivals in a global struggle for power. Laika was followed into orbit four years later by the first human, Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin. With Earth orbit achieved, we turned our sights on the moon. The United States landed two astronauts on its stark surface in 1969, and five more manned missions followed. The U.S.’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched probes to study the solar system. Manned space stations began glittering in the sky. NASA developed reusable spacecraft—space shuttle orbiters—to ferry astronauts and satellites to orbit. Space-travel technology had advanced light-years in just three decades. Gagarin had to parachute from his spaceship after reentry from orbit. The space shuttle leaves orbit at 16,465 miles an hour (26,498 kilometers an hour) and glides to a stop on a runway without using an engine.

Space travel is nothing like in the movies. Getting from A to B requires complex calculations involving inertia and gravity—literally, rocket science—to "slingshot" from planet to planet (or moon) across the solar system. The Voyager mission of the 1970s took advantage of a rare alignment of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune to shave off nearly 20 years of travel time. Space is also dangerous. More than 20 astronauts have died doing their job.

That hasn’t stopped people from signing up and blasting off. NASA’s shuttle program has ended, but private companies are readying their own space programs. A company called Planetary Resources plans to send robot astronauts to the Asteroid Belt to mine for precious metals. Another company named SpaceX is hoping to land civilian astronauts on Mars—the next human step into the solar system—in 20 years. NASA and other civilian companies are planning their own Mars missions. Maybe you’ll be a member of one? Don’t forget to bring your dog.

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Space Race — Exploring Space: History, Importance, and Future

Exploring Space: History, Importance, and Future

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Published: Jan 29, 2024

Words: 667 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Background information on space exploration, importance of space exploration, criticisms and challenges of space exploration, future prospects of space exploration.

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Everything you need to know about space travel (almost)

We're a long way from home...

Paul Parsons

When did we first start exploring space?

The first human-made object to go into space was a German V2 missile , launched on a test flight in 1942. Although uncrewed, it reached an altitude of 189km (117 miles).

Former Nazi rocket scientists were later recruited by both America and Russia (often at gunpoint in the latter case), where they were instrumental in developing Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) – rockets capable of carrying nuclear weapons from one side of the planet to the other.

It was these super-missiles that formed the basis for the space programmes of both post-war superpowers. As it happened, Russia was the first to reach Earth orbit, when it launched the uncrewed Sputnik 1 in October 1957, followed a month later by Sputnik 2, carrying the dog Laika – the first live animal in space.

The USA sent its first uncrewed satellite, Explorer 1, into orbit soon after, in January 1958. A slew of robotic spaceflights followed, from both sides of the Atlantic, before Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin piloted Vostok 1 into orbit on 12 April 1961, to become the first human being in space . And from there the space race proper began, culminating in Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin becoming the first people to walk on the Moon as part of NASA's Apollo programme .

Why is space travel important?

Space exploration is the future. It satisfies the human urge to explore and to travel, and in the years and decades to come it could even provide our species with new places to call home – especially relevant now, as Earth becomes increasingly crowded .

Extending our reach into space is also necessary for the advancement of science. Space telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope and probes to the distant worlds of the Solar System are continually updating, and occasionally revolutionising, our understanding of astronomy and physics.

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But there are also some very practical reasons, such as mining asteroids for materials that are extremely rare here on Earth.

One example is the huge reserve of the chemical isotope helium-3 thought to be locked away in the soil on the surface of the Moon . This isotope is a potential fuel for future nuclear fusion reactors – power stations that tap into the same source of energy as the Sun. Unlike other fusion fuels, helium-3 gives off no hard-to-contain and deadly neutron radiation.

However, for this to happen the first challenge to overcome is how to build a base on the Moon. In 2019, China's Chang’e 4 mission marked the beginning of a new space race to conquer the Moon, signalling their intent to build a permanent lunar base , while the NASA Artemis mission plans to build a space station, called Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway , providing a platform to ferry astronauts to the Moon's surface.

Could humans travel into interstellar space and how would we get there?

It’s entirely feasible that human explorers will visit the furthest reaches of our Solar System. The stars, however, are another matter. Interstellar space is so vast that it takes light – the fastest thing we know of in the Universe – years, centuries and millennia to traverse it. Faster-than-light travel may be possible one day, but is unlikely to become a reality in our lifetimes.

It’s not impossible that humans might one day cross this cosmic gulf, though it won’t be easy. The combustion-powered rocket engines of today certainly aren’t up to the job – they just don’t use fuel efficiently enough. Instead, interstellar spacecraft may create a rocket-like propulsion jet using electric and magnetic fields. This so-called ‘ ion drive ’ technology has already been tested aboard uncrewed Solar System probes.

Another possibility is to push spacecraft off towards the stars using the light from a high-powered laser . A consortium of scientists calling themselves Breakthrough Starshot is already planning to send a flotilla of tiny robotic probes to our nearest star, Proxima Centauri, using just this method.

Though whether human astronauts could survive such punishing acceleration, or the decades-long journey through deep space, remains to be seen.

How do we benefit from space exploration?

Pushing forward the frontiers of science is the stated goal of many space missions . But even the development of space travel technology itself can lead to unintended yet beneficial ‘spin-off’ technologies with some very down-to-earth applications.

Notable spin-offs from the US space programme, NASA, include memory foam mattresses, artificial hearts, and the lubricant spray WD-40. Doubtless, there are many more to come.

Read more about space exploration:

• The next giant leaps: The UK missions getting us to the Moon
• Move over, Mars: why we should look further afield for future human colonies
• Everything you need to know about the Voyager mission
• 6 out-of-this-world experiments recreating space on Earth

Space exploration also instils a sense of wonder, it reminds us that there are issues beyond our humdrum planet and its petty squabbles, and without doubt it helps to inspire each new generation of young scientists. It’s also an insurance policy. We’re now all too aware that global calamities can and do happen – for instance, climate change and the giant asteroid that smashed into the Earth 65 million years ago, leading to the total extinction of the dinosaurs .

The lesson for the human species is that we keep all our eggs in one basket at our peril. On the other hand, a healthy space programme, and the means to travel to other worlds, gives us an out.

Is space travel dangerous?

In short, yes – very. Reaching orbit means accelerating up to around 28,000kph (17,000mph, or 22 times the speed of sound ). If anything goes wrong at that speed, it’s seldom good news.

Then there’s the growing cloud of space junk to contend with in Earth's orbit – defunct satellites, discarded rocket stages and other detritus – all moving just as fast. A five-gram bolt hitting at orbital speed packs as much energy as a 200kg weight dropped from the top of an 18-storey building.

And getting to space is just the start of the danger. The principal hazard once there is cancer-producing radiation – the typical dose from one day in space is equivalent to what you’d receive over an entire year back on Earth, thanks to the planet’s atmosphere and protective magnetic field.

Add to that the icy cold airless vacuum , the need to bring all your own food and water, plus the effects of long-duration weightlessness on bone density, the brain and muscular condition – including that of the heart – and it soon becomes clear that venturing into space really isn’t for the faint-hearted.

When will space travel be available to everyone?

It’s already happening – that is, assuming your pockets are deep enough. The first self-funded ‘space tourist’ was US businessman Dennis Tito, who in 2001 spent a week aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for the cool sum of $20m (£15m).

Virgin Galactic has long been promising to take customers on short sub-orbital hops into space – where passengers get to experience rocket propulsion and several minutes of weightlessness, before gliding back to a runway landing on Earth, all for $250k (£190k). In late July 2020, the company unveiled the finished cabin in its SpaceShipTwo vehicle, suggesting that commercial spaceflights may begin shortly.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s SpaceX , which in May 2020 became the first private company to launch a human crew to Earth orbit aboard the Crew Dragon , plans to offer stays on the ISS for $35k (£27k) per night. SpaceX is now prototyping its huge Starship vehicle , which is designed to take 100 passengers from Earth to as far afield as Mars for around $20k (£15k) per head. Musk stated in January that he hoped to be operating 1,000 Starships by 2050.

10 Short Lessons in Space Travel by Paul Parsons is out now (£9.99, Michael O'Mara)

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Subject Areas: Earth and Space, Science and Technology

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• Into Space!
• Solar Sails: The Future of Space Travel
• My Moon Colony
• Earth Impact

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Engineering connection, learning objectives, more curriculum like this, introduction/motivation, associated activities, lesson closure, vocabulary/definitions, user comments & tips.

Space travel is made possible by engineers. From mechanical engineers who design the components for spacecraft to biomedical engineers who design ways to care for astronauts' health while traveling in space, people from almost every discipline of engineering work together to further space exploration.

After this lesson, students should be able to:

• Identify potential reasons why people want to travel to space.
• Describe how different types of engineers each contribute to space travel.
• Give examples of what the future may hold for space travel.

Educational Standards Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards. All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN) , a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org). In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g. , by state; within source by type; e.g. , science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc .

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Colorado - science.

(Note: Prior to beginning this lesson introduction, guide students through a brief pre-lesson assessment activity on journaling, as described in the Assessment section.)

Let us begin by having you share your journal entries on your journey through space. What do you imagine it would be like to travel into space? What questions do you have about the solar system and outer space? (Call on students to share their ideas.) Great ideas and questions! Do you have any idea how long you think a person could live in outer space? What kind of equipment would she or he need to survive? Today we will be studying a space project that many engineers have been working on that makes it possible to travel to and live in space.

But first let's think about why people would want to travel to space in the first place. You wrote in your journal about things you might explore in space. Tell me about your investigation plans. (Call on students to share their ideas. Write ideas on the board.) Good! What are other reasons that space scientists might want to explore outer space? (Ask some of the following questions if students did not already mention these ideas. Write ideas or groups of topics on the board.)

• Evidence of life: "Do you think life exists on other planets? How could we find out?"
• Gravity-free experiments: "Why might scientists be interested in performing experiments in a gravity-free environment?"
• Earth's origins: "In what ways could the exploration of the moon and our solar system tell us about our own planet's origin?"
• Colonizing other planets: "Do you think we could someday colonize the moon or another planet? Why would we want to? What would we need to figure out to make that possible?"

Excellent! Now we have an idea of why people might like to travel to space. But , who actually makes space travel possible? Engineers are the creative problem solvers who help shape the future of space travel. People from nearly every discipline —or branch of study—of engineering work together to further space exploration. Aerospace engineers design the craft, mechanical engineers design the components for the craft, electrical and computer engineers design the computer systems, and chemical engineers design the rocket fuel, among the many others who have a hand in a spacecraft's launch into outer space. What role do you think biomedical engineers have in space travel? (Answer: they design the medical devices to monitor and keep healthy the traveling astronauts.)

Let's look at an example of a space project that sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but is actually a real project that engineers from around the world have worked on together to build for our use today! The International Space Station, or ISS for short, is designed to help scientists study questions such as the ones you came up with during your journaling activity. Astronauts—who have trained for months, if not years—live in the ISS for up to about six months at a time! Can you imagine?! While aboard the ISS, astronauts perform experiments that can only be done in space. Also, another purpose during their stay is to discover what is necessary to live in space for an extended period of time, so that longer journeys into the solar system can be planned (and carried out), such as to Mars or beyond.

The ISS is slightly bigger than a football field, and the living area for the 3-6 on-board astronauts is about the size of an average three-bedroom house (see Figure 2). How do you think life might be different for the astronauts who live there, based on the fact that they are in space and in such confined quarters? (This might be a good time to visit NASA's Interactive Space Station Reference Guide at https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/multimedia/index.html , which provides detailed visual answers to this question, as well as video clips showing how astronauts eat, sleep and exercise while on board the ISS.)

The ISS is not only an adventure in space living, it is also an adventure in science and engineering. The ISS is one of the most complex engineering projects ever designed. Engineers had to solve many difficult problems, such as how to get such a massive object to orbit the Earth, how to design ways to get astronauts on and off the space station, and how to provide electrical power to the station. Following the lesson students can expand their knowledge by combining design and creative thinking with the associated activity Solar Sails: The Future of Space Travel in which they will design, construct and test model solar sails made of foil that move cardboard tube satellites on a string through “space,” as a way to learn about new innovations, the universal laws of motion, and the transfer of energy from wave to mechanical energy. 

Lesson Background and Concepts for Teachers

What is the International Space Station?

The International Space Station , or ISS for short, began in-space assembly in 1998 and is still under construction (as of fall 2008, at the time of this writing). The largest international space research station in history, sixteen countries including the U.S., Russia, Canada, Japan and Brazil joined together to conduct science experiments and research in space to determine whether human beings have a future in space. Research topics include life in low gravity, physics, Earth observation.

The ISS is about 25% larger than a football field and weighs more than one million pounds. Orbiting 240 miles above Earth and traveling at a speed of about 28,000 kilometers an hour, the ISS circles the Earth about 16 times a day. The station is able to observe 85% of the planet and 95% of the Earth's population from its variable and frequent orbit. Although small, the living quarters give the crew a great view of space and the Earth.

Crew and supplies can access the station during NASA's scheduled missions to replenish needed items (food, research supplies, etc.), accept visitors and exchange astronauts who are living in the space station. Electricity is provided by almost an acre of solar panels. NASA provides an excellent online tour of the ISS via the Interactive Space Station Reference Guide ( https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html ).

History of Space Travel

The earliest rockets were similar to current day fireworks and used in 1232 during the war between the Chinese and Mongols. These firework-like missiles were a simple solid-propellant rocket. Using gunpowder stuffed into a tube that was capped only at one end, the rocket could be ignited. The rapid burning of the powder produced gas that escaped through the open end, producing thrust. The stick that the rocket was attached to acted as a simple guidance system. Refer to the associated activity Into Space! to give students an introductory learning of basic physics concepts on how rockets work as they design, build and test model rockets using camera film canisters and antacid tablets. 

Manned Spacecraft

Space travel for human beings did not develop until several centuries later when, in 1961, Russian Yuri Gagarin became the first person to orbit the Earth. The next major milestone in space travel came in 1969 when the three-man Apollo 11 mission landed on the moon — resulting in the first humans who walked on the moon!

Soon after the Russians and Americans sent people into space, engineers also started working on spacecraft that would house astronauts for longer periods so that they could plan for extended trips and perform scientific experiments. These predecessors to the International Space Station include the Apollo-Soyuz, the first international spacecraft; Skylab, the first American craft for long-term use, and Mir, the Russian space station that held international scientists during 1986 to 1996.

Unmanned Spacecraft

Unmanned spacecraft are an integral part of the discovery of our solar system and beyond. Some satellites observe the Sun, solar system, and/or the universe (such as the Hubble telescope or Viking, the Mars probe), and other satellites observe our planet from above (for weather forecasting, etc.). Still other satellites observe and sample specific environments or are used solely for the purpose of benefiting humanity (like GPS and communication).

Watch this activity on YouTube

Space travel can help us learn about the origins of the universe and our own planet. Also, it provides a unique opportunity to do research in a gravity-free environment, which is a great advance toward our knowledge of space and space-related issues. Engineers help make space travel possible by working together to solve a wide range of design problems. Someday they may even find a way to help us travel to other planets, or perhaps even live among the stars!

chemical reaction: A process whereby one type of substance is chemically converted to another substance involving an exchange of energy.

gravity: The natural force of attraction between any two massive bodies.

rocket: A vehicle that moves by ejecting fuel.

star: A huge burning sphere of gas, made up of roughly 90% hydrogen and 10% helium.

thrust: The forward-directed force on a rocket in reaction to the ejection of fuel.

Pre-Lesson Assessment

Journaling : Have students take out a sheet of paper. Explain that they will be writing in their journals for three minutes on a topic you will provide. They should not worry about the quality of their writing (organization, grammar or spelling), but should simply try to get their thoughts down. They should write nonstop for the full three minutes. Topic: Imagine that you are planning a trip through our solar system. What do you imagine you will see and feel as you travel through space? What kinds of things might you explore? What questions do you have about your upcoming journey or about the solar system or outer space in general? (You may want to write the topic questions on the board, under a pulled-down projector screen, in advance of class.)

Post-Introduction Assessment

Discussion Topic : International Space Station astronauts set up a program that enables them to talk to students around the world. Think of a few questions that you would ask an ISS astronaut, given the chance. In particular, think about questions concerning why people go to space and what the future of space travel holds. Give students a few minutes to write down their responses, and then have them share them with the class.

Lesson Summary Assessment

Acrostic Poem : Encourage students to synthesize and evaluate their learning by having them write an acrostic poem. Instructions : To make an acrostic poem, write the words space travel vertically on a piece of paper. Then, use each letter in those words as the first letter of a different word or phrase related to space travel. For example, S = scientific experiments, P = probing the universe, A = aerospace engineers, etc.)

Lesson Extension Activities

Learn more about the shuttle and its role in building and transporting crew to and from the ISS. Have students research various aspects of this topic and present their findings to the class.

Have students build a scale model of the International Space Station using scaled drawing templates from NASA; see: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/multimedia/scalemodel/.

Have students research how the ISS is built, and what it would be like to live on it, using NASA's Interactive Space Station Reference Guide at: http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/ISSRG/. Present their research to the class.

Ask students to consider how scientists and engineers made the International Space Station successfully orbit the Earth. Discuss factors that could influence its ability to orbit. Then have students try to create their own orbiting satellite using the online simulation "My Solar System" at: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/my-solar-system.

Build a scale model of objects in the solar system, with help from a NASA website at: http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/papers/hathadh/SolarSystemModel.pdf. If any other students/group is creating a scale model of the ISS, work in tandem to demonstrate for other students what the ISS looks like traveling through space.

Students acquire a basic understanding of the science and engineering of space travel as well as a brief history of space exploration. They learn about the scientists and engineers who made space travel possible and briefly examine some famous space missions.

Students are introduced to the International Space Station (ISS) with information about its structure, operation and key experiments.

Students learn about the physical properties of the Moon. They compare these to the properties of the Earth to determine how life would be different for people living on the Moon.

The purpose of this lesson is to teach students how a spacecraft gets from the surface of the Earth to Mars. Students first investigate rockets and how they are able to get us into space. Finally, the nature of an orbit is discussed as well as how orbits enable us to get from planet to planet — spec...

Discovery Communications, Discovery Education, Classroom Resources, "Space-Age Living: Building the International Space Station," accessed October 23, 2008, http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/spacestation/basics/how.html

Dubson, Michael. University of Colorado, Physics Education Technology, Simulations, "My Solar System," accessed October 23, 2008, http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/my-solar-system

Hathaway, Dr. David H., National Aeronautics and Space Administration, "Scale Model of the Solar System," June 1998, accessed October 23, 2008, http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/papers/hathadh/SolarSystemModel.pdf

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, United Space Alliance and The Boeing Company, Online Shuttle Press Kit, The International Space Station, June 3, 1999, accessed October 23, 2008, http://www.nasa.gov/news/media/presskits/index.html

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, accessed October 23, 2008, http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, accessed October 23, 2008, http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/history/

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, International Space Station, An Interactive Reference Guide, accessed October 23, 2008. https://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/index.html

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, International Space Station, Multimedia, "Scale Model Drawing Package," August 15, 2008, accessed October 23, 2008, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/multimedia/scalemodel/index.html

Space Station, "Current Missions," October 23, 2008, accessed October 23, 2008, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html

Newman, Phil. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, StarChild, "The Solar System," accessed October 14, 2008. http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level2/solar_system.html

Contributors

Supporting program, acknowledgements.

The contents of these digital library curricula were developed by the Integrated Teaching and Learning Program under National Science Foundation GK-12 grant no. 0338326. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the National Science Foundation, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

Last modified: March 10, 2021

Space travel: An astronaut’s tale

The fascination with space is a central element in Universal Picture’s Despicable Me , available in Blu-ray and DVD from 21 February . In the movie, Gru hopes to become an astronaut, and his dream is to embark on a space mission to steal the Moon. We would like to introduce someone that has truly been beyond the boundaries of our planet: astronaut Umberto Guidoni talks to Esa Kids about his experience in space.

"Being an astronaut was a dream I had since childhood. As a boy I had books on astronomy and even a small telescope through which I observed the sky. I loved reading science fiction novels and nurtured a passion for the stars The first mission to the Moon in 1969 made me realise that the dream of space travel was possibile. At first, only the United States and Russia organised space travel, but after I became an astrophysicist, the opportunity finally presented itself.

The years before a mission are a long preparation phase, during which it feels like going back to school. At the end of this period there is a another year of training, which precedes the long awaited moment to board a spacecraft. The biggest emotion is during the countdown: with each second, you realise that everything you have prepared for is about to happen! But there are many other memorable moments: the first time you look at the universe with your own eyes, or the feeling of being in zero gravity.

On a spacecraft, the most bizarre thing is the absence of weight. It is something you can only know when you experience it yourself. If you lose something, your first instinct is to check the floor, but in space this rule does not apply, because the item can be anywhere, and often moves around. Because of this, an astronaut must always be very careful and orderly, especially with small items such as spectacles or a watch.

The most striking thing when you are in space is the view of the Earth. Looking at the Universe, the Earth is basically what ends up attracting our attention. It is the only object rich with colour and movement that you see when you're in space. From the spaceship, you can see a number of surprising details such as mountains and oceans. You are in awe with all that you can observe with the naked eye but also struck by the vision of our fragile planet, a body which is completely isolated, and around which darkness seems to reign. In addition, from space you have a clear overview of its wounds: deforestation, fires, pollution. It is not difficult to distinguish clouds from the smog, and we realise how sick the Earth really is.”

Umberto Guidoni wrote a book dedicated to all the children who dream of becoming an astronaut. It is called Astrolibro del Universo and has been recently published in Italy.

Textbook Solutions: The Diary of a Space Traveller | Class 7 English Oxford PDF Download

Q1: On the basis of your understanding of the story, tick the correct option. (a). Ans: (ii)

(b). Ans: (iv)

(c). Ans: (iv) 

Q2: Answer the following questions briefly. (a). Ans: The ink in the diary changed color, and the paper was impossible to tear.

(b). Ans: The first attempt failed because Prahlad had accidentally moved the arms of the clock, causing a delay and resulting in the rocket's failure.

(d). Ans:  

• Bidhushekhar could speak and communicate with Professor Shonku.
• Bidhushekhar exhibited a sense of danger and fear, showing a level of intelligence and self-preservation.

(e). Ans: The narrator wanted to send a copy of the diary to be printed. However, when he returned home, he found that the original diary had been eaten by ants, making it impossible to send.

(f). Ans: Space travel has become a reality through advancements in technology and science, allowing scientists and explorers like Professor Shonku to embark on space missions.

1. Ans:  Foreshadowing is used in the story through Professor Shonku's initial observations and speculations about the planets he visits. For example, his anticipation of life on Mars and his unease about the quiet atmosphere serve as hints of the potential dangers and surprises he encounters later.

2. Ans: Entry: "Today has been a day of unimaginable discoveries and unforeseen dangers. The creatures on Tafa were beyond anything I could have imagined - primitive and mysterious. But as I write this, I fear for Professor Shonku. His fate remains uncertain, and I can only hope that he finds a way back to us, armed with knowledge that will reshape our understanding of the universe.

3. Ans:  I find space travel incredibly fascinating and important for advancing our knowledge of the universe. The idea of exploring other planets and possibly finding signs of life beyond Earth is incredibly exciting. However, I also recognize the risks and challenges that come with space travel, including the harsh conditions and potential dangers. As much as I would love to experience it, I would also have reservations about leaving the safety of Earth. Nonetheless, I greatly admire the courage and curiosity of those who embark on such missions.

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Essay on Space Tourism

Students are often asked to write an essay on Space Tourism in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Space Tourism

Introduction.

Space tourism is a new and exciting area of the travel industry. It refers to the activity of people traveling into space for leisure and recreation.

Current State of Space Tourism

Currently, space tourism is in its early stages. Few companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are pioneering these efforts. They aim to make space travel accessible to more people.

The Future of Space Tourism

In the future, we may see more advancements in space tourism. It could become a common experience for people, like going on a vacation.

Space tourism is an exciting prospect. It opens up new possibilities for exploration and adventure.

250 Words Essay on Space Tourism

Introduction to space tourism, challenges and opportunities.

While the idea of space tourism is exciting, it presents significant challenges, including high costs, safety concerns, and environmental impacts. The cost of a single trip can run into millions of dollars, making it accessible only to the wealthy. Safety is another concern as space travel involves considerable risk. Moreover, the environmental impact of rocket launches, which produce substantial greenhouse gas emissions, cannot be ignored.

However, space tourism also presents immense opportunities. It has the potential to spur technological innovation, create new jobs, and promote scientific research. Furthermore, it can help us understand our place in the universe and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Future of Space Tourism

The future of space tourism is promising, yet uncertain. Technological advancements might reduce costs and increase safety, making space travel more accessible. However, regulations need to be put in place to manage the environmental impact and ensure the sustainable development of this sector.

In conclusion, space tourism represents a thrilling frontier for human exploration and commercial opportunity. It’s a testament to our technological prowess and insatiable curiosity. However, it also forces us to confront new challenges and responsibilities. As we stand at the precipice of this new era, it’s crucial to navigate it thoughtfully and sustainably.

500 Words Essay on Space Tourism

Space tourism, a novel concept in the realm of travel, has been gaining momentum as we inch closer to the future. It refers to the activity of traveling beyond Earth’s atmosphere for recreational purposes. It is an exciting prospect that combines the thrill of exploration with the allure of the unknown, promising a unique experience that is out of this world.

Evolution of Space Tourism

The role of private companies.

Private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic have been instrumental in the development of space tourism. They are pioneering the use of reusable rockets, reducing the cost of space travel, and making it more accessible. These companies envision a future where space travel is as common as air travel, with regular flights to space hotels and even other planets.

Challenges and Concerns

Despite the progress, space tourism faces several challenges. The cost of space travel is prohibitively high, limiting it to the extremely wealthy. Additionally, there are significant safety concerns. Space travel is inherently risky, and the potential for accidents is high. Furthermore, there are environmental concerns. The rocket launches required for space travel produce a large amount of greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.

Future Prospects

In conclusion, space tourism represents the next frontier in travel, offering unprecedented experiences and opportunities for exploration. While it currently faces significant challenges, advancements in technology and the involvement of private companies are paving the way for a future where space travel is commonplace. As we stand on the brink of this new era, it is exciting to imagine what the future of space tourism might hold. Despite the challenges, the prospect of exploring the cosmos is a thrilling one, promising to broaden our horizons and deepen our understanding of the universe.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Happy studying!

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The Diary of a Space Traveller - Class 7 New Pathways - Summary, Extra Questions, Quiz & Video

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On this page:

• Back Questions
• Extra Questions
• The Diary of a space traveler
• About the Author
• Important Lines

Back Questions - The Diary of a Space Traveller | New Pathways | Literature | English | Class 7

What were the two amazing facts about the diary?

The two amazing facts about the diary were:

The diary was found at the center of a meteorite that had fallen in the Sunderbans.

The diary disappeared the day it was finished being read, leaving behind only a small piece of its red cover and a few pages chewed to a powder, presumably eaten by black ants.

What had happened during Professor Shonku's first attempt to go to space?

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Fill in the table to describe the two planets visited by Professor Shonku.

Bidhushekhar was more than just an ordinary robot. Give two reasons.

What did the narrator want to do with the diary? Why was it not possible?

How has space travel now become a reality?

Foreshadowing is a literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story. How does the writer use this device in the story? (Hint: Pay attention to the descriptions of places and people.)

What do you think happened to Professor Shonku? Answer in the form of another diary entry.

Real-Life Connect: What are your views on space travel? Would you like to travel to space? Why?

💡 Have more questions?

Extra Questions - The Diary of a Space Traveller | New Pathways | Literature | English | Class 7

"Prahlad is a fool, but it may well be useful to have him with me. Sometimes slow and foolish people show more courage than clever ones, as it takes them longer to work out the need or reason to feel scared." This sentence refers to the significance that the narrator assigns to Prahlad.

Who is Prahlad?

In what context does the narrator refer to Prahlad as a fool?

Why does the the narrator consider Prahlad useful? Which incident demonstrated his usefulness?

Prahlad is the servant of Professor Shonku who accompanies him on his space journey.

The narrator refers to Prahlad as a fool in the context of an incident involving the rocket. Prahlad had moved the arms of the clock while winding it , causing the rocket's launch to be delayed by almost three and a half hours , which resulted in a failed attempt of departure.

The narrator, Professor Shonku, considers Prahlad useful because in a dangerous situation where a gecko caused a chemical spill in his laboratory, Prahlad showed courage and calmly wiped off the spill with a towel. If he hadn't done this, the laboratory, along with its occupants and even the robot, Bidhushekhar, would have been wiped clean, proving that sometimes slower and seemingly foolish people can be more courageous than smarter ones because it takes them longer to realise the danger.

What were some of the unique characteristics of Mars according to the professor?

The Diary of a space traveler - The Diary of a Space Traveller | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English

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About the Author - The Diary of a Space Traveller | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English

Satyajit Ray was an iconic Indian director and writer, renowned for his significant contributions to Indian cinema and literature. Born on 2 May 1921 in Kolkata, India, he came from a family of artists, and his father, Sukumar Ray, was a well-known Bengali author. Ray trained as a graphic artist in Shantiniketan University before venturing into the film industry. Known for his strong storytelling and poetic rhythm in his works, his films often depicted the social and economic realities of India.

His first film, Pather Panchali (1955), won eleven international prizes, including Best Human Documentary at the Cannes Film Festival, establishing him as a globally acclaimed director. During his career, he authored several short stories, novels, and essays, many of them including science fiction and detective fiction, reflecting his diverse creative interests. The Spaceman's Diary is one such piece of his unique literary works, showcasing his imagination and storytelling prowess.

Ray received many awards and honours, including an Honorary Award at the 64th Academy Awards, 32 Indian National Film Awards, and the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. He passed away on 23 April 1992, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian cinema and literature.

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Summary - The Diary of a Space Traveller | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English

In the chapter, we explore an excerpt from the diary of Professor Shonku, a renowned scientist who embarks on a space expedition along with his servant Prahlad, his cat Newton, and a robot named Bidhushekhar. Their diary, mysteriously....

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Themes - The Diary of a Space Traveller | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English

1. Exploration and Adventure:

Professor Shonku's voyage to Mars and then to the planet Tafa celebrates the human passion for exploration and adventure. The unknown....

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Plot - The Diary of a Space Traveller | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English

1. Discovery of the Diary:

The chapter begins with the discovery of a mysterious diary belonging to the scientist Professor Shonku at the site of a meteorite crash. Its appearance, after....

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Important Lines - The Diary of a Space Traveller | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English

1. "The closer I am getting to my date of departure, the more enthusiastic I feel." This highlights Professor Shonku's excitement and anticipation......

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Vocabulary - The Diary of a Space Traveller | New Pathways | Class 7 Literature | English

1. Ebbing: Diminishing or decreasing. - The strength of the waves was ebbing as the tide receded.

2. Bicornic: A fictional or specialized term, presumably related to a type of acid. - Professor accidentally spilled the bicornic acid on the floor.

3. Paradoxite: A fictional or specialized substance. - The scientist ............................

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