Astronomy
Space Exploration
Quick fact
The first human-made object to reach space was a German V-2 rocket in 1944, but it wasn't until 1957 that the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, initiating the Space Age.
Why this is interesting
Since ancient times, humans have looked up at the stars and wondered what lies beyond. Today, we've sent probes to every planet in the solar system and even stepped foot on the Moon—but what does it take to actually explore space?