Space, in general usage, that which is Space, in general usage, that which is characterized by the property of characterized by the property of extension; in astronomy, the region extension; in astronomy, the region beyond the Earth's atmosphere or beyond beyond the Earth's atmosphere or beyond the solar system: outer space.the solar system: outer space.

Space was regarded for many thousands Space was regarded for many thousands of years as having three dimensions: left of years as having three dimensions: left and right, up and down, and forward and and right, up and down, and forward and backback

The Russian Sputnik 1, launched on The Russian Sputnik 1, launched on October 4, 1957, was the first October 4, 1957, was the first artificial satellite put into orbit artificial satellite put into orbit around the earth. This historic launch around the earth. This historic launch began an era of intensive space began an era of intensive space programmes by both the Soviet programmes by both the Soviet Union and the United States, a surge Union and the United States, a surge of interest sometimes called the of interest sometimes called the “space race”. “space race”.

In the next three decades, hundreds In the next three decades, hundreds of probes, satellites, and other of probes, satellites, and other missions were to follow Sputnik on missions were to follow Sputnik on the quest to explore both the the quest to explore both the wonders and the practical potential wonders and the practical potential of spaceof space

Spacewalker with Manned Spacewalker with Manned Manoeuvring UnitManoeuvring Unit

Astronaut Bruce McCandless floats freely Astronaut Bruce McCandless floats freely above the earth, wearing a manned above the earth, wearing a manned manoeuvring unit (MMU) during a shuttle manoeuvring unit (MMU) during a shuttle mission. McCandless helped design the mission. McCandless helped design the MMU and was the first to fly one. The MMU MMU and was the first to fly one. The MMU is propelled by small nitrogen thrusters is propelled by small nitrogen thrusters controlled by the astronaut’s hands. controlled by the astronaut’s hands. Because no umbilical cord attaches the Because no umbilical cord attaches the astronaut to the spacecraft, the MMU gives astronaut to the spacecraft, the MMU gives much greater mobility than was available much greater mobility than was available to earlier spacewalkers.to earlier spacewalkers.

The National Aeronautics and Space The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, better known as NASA, Administration, better known as NASA, was created in 1958. NASA conducts was created in 1958. NASA conducts aerospace research and space exploration, aerospace research and space exploration, including the shuttle programme. Here, including the shuttle programme. Here, the space shuttle Discovery is poised for the space shuttle Discovery is poised for its launch in September 1988. The success its launch in September 1988. The success of Discovery’s mission encouraged the of Discovery’s mission encouraged the United States to continue the space United States to continue the space shuttle programme energetically, despite shuttle programme energetically, despite the destruction of Challenger.the destruction of Challenger.

This image of the International Space This image of the International Space Station (ISS) was taken from Space Station (ISS) was taken from Space Shuttle Atlantis in February 2001 Shuttle Atlantis in February 2001 after it had delivered to the ISS the after it had delivered to the ISS the US Destiny laboratory module, the US Destiny laboratory module, the centrepiece for future research in the centrepiece for future research in the stationstation

The Hubble Space Telescope, free of the The Hubble Space Telescope, free of the distorting effects of the earth’s distorting effects of the earth’s atmosphere, has an unprecedented view atmosphere, has an unprecedented view of distant galaxies. It was placed in orbit in of distant galaxies. It was placed in orbit in 1990, but scientists discovered soon after 1990, but scientists discovered soon after the telescope became operational that its the telescope became operational that its 240-cm (94.5-in) primary mirror had been 240-cm (94.5-in) primary mirror had been wrongly constructed. However, a repair wrongly constructed. However, a repair mission completed by space shuttle mission completed by space shuttle astronauts in December 1993 successfully astronauts in December 1993 successfully installed corrective optics.installed corrective optics.

Hubble Space TelescopeHubble Space Telescope

M100 Galaxy as Seen by HubbleM100 Galaxy as Seen by Hubble

Columbia Shuttle DisasterColumbia Shuttle Disaster On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle

Columbia broke apart and burned up Columbia broke apart and burned up while re-entering the atmosphere. while re-entering the atmosphere. This photograph of the debris blazing This photograph of the debris blazing across the sky was taken from the across the sky was taken from the ground in Texas. All seven of ground in Texas. All seven of Columbia's crew diedColumbia's crew died

The United States Space Camp in The United States Space Camp in Huntsville, a city in northern Alabama, Huntsville, a city in northern Alabama, gives children the opportunity to gives children the opportunity to experience the life of an astronaut. experience the life of an astronaut. Activities at the camp include a Activities at the camp include a simulated shuttle mission and rocket-simulated shuttle mission and rocket-building projects. The camp is hosted building projects. The camp is hosted by the US Space and Rocket Center, a by the US Space and Rocket Center, a museum whose large collection of museum whose large collection of missiles and space devices traces the missiles and space devices traces the history of US aerospace development history of US aerospace development and space explorationand space exploration

United states space campUnited states space camp

Comet Bombardment of Jupiter, Comet Bombardment of Jupiter, 19941994

This image, taken by the Hubble This image, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, reveals the impact Space Telescope, reveals the impact sites (dark spots near the centre of sites (dark spots near the centre of the image) created by two fragments the image) created by two fragments of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9. The of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9. The fragments collided with Jupiter fragments collided with Jupiter between July 16 and July 22, 1994, between July 16 and July 22, 1994, stirring up the planet’s atmosphere.stirring up the planet’s atmosphere.

Comet Bombardment of Jupiter, Comet Bombardment of Jupiter, 19941994