The History of Space Exploration

We have a long way to go in the space race. We started late. But this is the new ocean, and I believe the United States must sail on it and be in a position second to none.

President John F. Kennedy, 1962

Interest in traveling to space has always sparked curiosity in the human mind. Space exploration may have truly started in 13th century China when fireworks were first developed. The Chinese fired these rockets into the sky and watched as they exploded with colors. From this point on, rocket technology turned to war weapons, and eventually to space exploration. In this topic, you will take a journey through space exploration, beginning with rocket development and ending with the most recent developments in space technology.

Essential Questions

• What is the history of human space travel?
• What is a rocket?