CHAPTER 10 | Space Exploration

History of space exploration in terms of technology development and missions in space exploration.

1. First telescope used in the field of astronomy by Galileo Galilei-1609.

2. First satellite – USSR Sputnik 1 - 1957.

3. First human to orbit Earth – Yuri Gagarin, aboard USSR Vostok 1 - 1961.

4. First human on the Moon – Neil Armstrong, US Apollo 11 - 1969.

5. First Neptune flyby – US Voyager 2 - 1989.

6. US launched Hubble Space Telescope from space shuttle Discovery - 1990.

7. Malaysian satellites MEASAT 1 and 2 launched -1996.

8. Malaysia’s first microsatellite TiungSAT-1 launched -2000

9. National Space Agency (Agensi Angkasa Negara) established -2002.

10. Construction of International Space Station (ISS) completed -2011.

Applications of Technology in Space Exploration and their Importance

1. Telescopes

   • Astronomical telescopes such as the radio telescope, Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescope are used for observing objects in outer space.

2. Spaceships

   • Spaceships that carry astronauts have been launched into outer space to obtain various information.

   • Space probe is a spaceship that does not carry humans. Examples of space probes are Voyager 2, Viking 1, Pioneer 10 and Mariner 10, to collect information about the Solar System.

3. Rockets and space shuttles

   • Used for launching objects like spaceships or probes and satellites.

   • Rockets cannot be used repeatedly but space shuttles can be used repeatedly.

4. Satellites

   • Man-made satellites have been launched into certain orbits to play a role in remote sensing in the fields like agriculture and geology.