Neil Armstrong (1930–2012) was supposed to follow a script when he became the first person to set foot on the Moon. He should have said ‘That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind’, but the ‘gravity’ of the momentous occasion got to him.
: Fig. 38.1 Sputnik 1 ? TEST TUBE
1. Research the following important milestones in space exploration and add them to the timeline shown above: • First spacecraft to land on Mars • First spacecraft to orbit the Moon
• First spacecraft to land on the Moon • First landing on an asteroid
Benefits of space exploration
Technology and materials that were originally developed to allow humans to travel to and survive in space have come to benefit life on Earth in many ways. Space exploration also offers us a unique perspective on our planet.
Technology
• Hands-free wireless devices were invented for astronaut communication. • Satellite imagery is used to track weather patterns and provide valuable information about climate change.
• Satellite technology is used for navigation in vehicles (GPS) and phones.
• Fire-resistant building materials came from the need for materials that could withstand extreme temperatures during shuttle launch and re-entry.
• Infrared developed to measure the temperature of stars is used in ear thermometers.