Space exploration aims to discover and make use of the resources of outer space. This involves sending spacecraft to the Moon, to Mars and other planets in our solar system, and beyond. It also includes the development of technology for humans to travel in space, such as orbiting space stations and manned spaceflight.
Since ancient times people have looked upward at the night sky and wondered about the objects they saw there (see astronomy). Their wonder led to efforts to understand the nature of these objects, which in turn led to an urge to travel to these places and explore them. This was a daunting challenge, since it took centuries for people to rise even a short distance above Earth’s surface. Early efforts involved kites, balloons and airplanes. However, these devices were limited by the fact that they required air to support their operators and to burn their fuel. Only with the invention of rockets and other spacecraft was it possible to travel into space.
Thousands of different spacecraft have been launched, serving a wide variety of purposes. The most basic kinds of spacecraft include sounding rockets, artificial satellites and space probes. A space probe is any unmanned craft that explores the area of space around Earth and its moon, or that visits other planets and their satellites in our solar system.
Space exploration has almost always been a government activity, as private individuals and societies could not afford the very high costs of launching vehicles and equipment into space. Governments have viewed the pursuit of space as a means to accomplish a number of very broad objectives, including increasing knowledge, adding to national prestige and power, enhancing military and economic capabilities, promoting science and education, and developing new sources of energy.
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