Exploring outer space with astronomy and space technology is known as space exploration. Using both manned and unmanned robotic space probes.
There are many challenges faced when exploring space, and it’s dangerous and expensive. The space shuttle missions used 1.9 million liters of fuel to launch a space shuttle. It cost about $450 million permission.
Re-entering the atmosphere is extremely dangerous. As a spacecraft enters the atmosphere, it moves very quickly. It heats up to 2,691 degrees as it moves through the air due to friction.
Re-entry destroyed the first spacecraft. Today’s spacecraft contain special ceramic tiles that help absorb heat during re-entry, keeping astronauts safe.
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Space Travel Facts for Kids
- The first spacecraft in space was Sputnik 1
- Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space
- The first woman in space was Valentina Tereshkova in 1963
- 1966 marked the first U.S. moon landing.
- Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon during Apollo 11 mission in 1969
- The first space shuttle launched on April 12, 1981
- Dennis Tito was the first space tourist in 2001
The Space Race
The first ten years of space exploration were marked by a “Space Race” between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The Soviet space program achieved many of the first milestones, such as the first human spaceflight in 1961.
In the 2000s, China, Russia, and Japan have planned manned space missions, while the European Union has advocated manned missions to the Moon.
Private interests are promoting space tourism and public exploration of the Moon, and SpaceX is developing a reusable orbital launch vehicle.
What do You Eat in Space
Many types of food are available to astronauts, such as fruits, chicken, peanut butter, nuts, beef, brownies, seafood, candy, etc. Among the drinks available are coffee, tea, orange juice, fruit punches, and lemonade.
Space food is served in disposable containers just like on Earth.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are the three meals astronauts eat each day.
Dangers of Space Travel
Health risks include radiation exposure, motion sickness, bone loss from microgravity, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular disease.
Astronauts can experience vision problems caused by long periods of weightlessness. Radiation exposure can cause cancer or other health issues.
These are some of the problems faced by astronauts in space and the disadvantages of space exploration we have as humans.
Disadvantages of Space Exploration
Space travel can be dangerous and costly. The dangers include:
Radiation Exposure
A major problem with space travel is radiation exposure. Astronauts are exposed to radiation every day, even if they don’t realize it. They’re exposed to cosmic rays, which are charged particles from deep space. Cosmic rays pass through our planet all the time, so there’s no way to avoid them entirely. But astronauts wear protective clothing and helmets to reduce their exposure.
It’s expensive
Space exploration is time-consuming and expensive. A single rocket launch costs millions of dollars to launch.
Some problems faced by astronauts in space include:
Vision Problems
Weightless conditions affect the eyes of astronauts. This causes eye strain and blurred vision. Vision improves after returning to Earth.
Muscle Atrophy
Muscle Atrophy can affect astronauts by causing weakness and fatigue. Muscle atrophy happens when muscles waste away because they aren’t being used.
Bone Loss
Bone loss occurs in astronauts who spend extended periods of time in zero gravity.
Space Station
In 1971, the Soviet space station Salyut 1 was launched into orbit.
NASA’s Skylab followed this was the first orbital laboratory in which scientists explored Earth. They also explored the effects of spaceflight on the human body.
The International Space Station is an orbiting research complex built by the United States, Russia, Canada, Europe, Japan, and several other nations.
Human Space Exploration
Human space exploration has been ongoing since the 1960s. Over 550 people from 37 countries have traveled into space.
The most famous astronaut is Neil Armstrong, who became the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
