The early stages of space exploration began with the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957, the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. This event marked the start of the space race between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, as both nations sought dominance in space technology. The launch spurred the creation of NASA in the US and led to key milestones, including Yuri Gagarin becoming the first human in space in 1961 and the US landing astronauts on the Moon in 1969 with Apollo 11. These early efforts were driven by both scientific curiosity and geopolitical competition.

The Apollo 11 mission in 1969 was a historic achievement when Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon. Launched by NASA on July 16, the mission included astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. On July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin landed the lunar module, Eagle, on the Moon’s surface, while Collins remained in orbit. Armstrong's famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," marked a defining moment in space exploration and fulfilled the US goal of landing humans on the Moon during the space race.

The Space Shuttle program, launched by NASA in 1981, was significant for its reusable spacecraft, which allowed for more frequent and cost-effective missions. The shuttle facilitated a range of important tasks, including satellite deployment, scientific research, and the construction of the International Space Station. One of its key missions was the 1990 launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, a groundbreaking instrument that revolutionized our understanding of the universe by capturing stunning, detailed images of distant galaxies and cosmic phenomena. The program ran until 2011, leaving a lasting legacy in space exploration and technology.

Recent developments in space exploration include the success of Mars rovers like NASA's Perseverance, which landed in 2021 to search for signs of ancient life and collect samples. SpaceX has emerged as a leader in private space ventures, achieving milestones like reusable rockets and crewed missions to the International Space Station. The company's Starship project aims to support missions to the Moon and Mars, aligning with growing interest in colonizing Mars and building moon bases. Both NASA and private companies are exploring the potential for sustainable human presence on these celestial bodies, marking a new era of space exploration.