Space Exploration -1 Part 1: Ancient Astronomy and Early Rocket Science How ancient people from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, China, and Indigenous cultures studied the stars. Stories and myths about constellations from different cultures. Early tools for measuring time and stars like the astrolabe, sundial, and simple telescopes. How Babylonian star catalogs and Greek celestial models helped shape astronomy. Discoveries by Galileo, Kepler, and Newton that changed how we see the universe. Learn about rockets' early ideas, like Tsiolkovsky's math and Goddard's liquid-fuel rockets.Part 2: The Space Race and Cold War The rivalry between the USA and USSR during the Cold War and how it led to space exploration. The launch of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, and what it taught us. The first living beings sent to space, like Laika the dog. Yuri Gagarin’s flight as the first human in space. How NASA was created and its Mercury and Gemini programs to prepare for Moon missions. The Apollo program: landing on the Moon, collecting lunar rocks, and conducting experiments. Rocket engines like Saturn V, which powered the Moon missions. How the space race led to new inventions like advanced computers and stronger materials.Part 3: Europe’s Role in Space How countries like France, Germany, and Italy worked on space projects after World War II. The formation of ESA (European Space Agency) and its teamwork among many countries. ESA’s achievements like the Ariane rockets, Rosetta’s mission to a comet, and Gaia’s Milky Way map. Europe’s Galileo navigation satellites and how they compete with GPS. European contributions to the ISS, including building modules and conducting science experiments. ESA’s future missions, like sending robots to Mars with ExoMars and exploring Jupiter’s moons.Part 4: Asia’s Growing Space Programs China’s progress in space exploration, like the Chang’e Moon missions and Tiangong space stations. India’s ISRO programs, including the Mars Orbiter Mission and Chandrayaan Moon missions. Japan’s asteroid missions, like Hayabusa, and its Kibo module on the ISS. How South Korea and the UAE are starting to send satellites and Mars missions. The development of rockets like India’s PSLV and China’s Long March series. Asia’s future plans, including human spaceflights and advanced satellite networks.Part 5: Russia’s Space Legacy The shift from the Soviet space program to Russia’s modern space agency, Roscosmos. How Soyuz rockets and spacecraft became important for space travel, especially to the ISS. Russia’s plans for future Moon and Mars missions. Technological achievements like the RD-180 engines used in rockets. Meet famous space explorers like Valentina Tereshkova (first woman in space) and Alexei Leonov (first spacewalk). Challenges Russia faces today, like funding and competition from other countries.Part 6: North America’s Space Innovations NASA’s Artemis program to return humans to the Moon and build the Lunar Gateway space station. The James Webb Space Telescope and its mission to explore distant galaxies. How private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Boeing are making reusable rockets. Canada’s contributions, like the Canadarm used on the ISS, and its Earth observation satellites. Mexico’s growing space program and collaborations with other countries. The role of private companies in lowering space travel costs and developing new technologies.
