Space Exploration “To infinity and beyond.” Buzz Lightyear

Ancient Astronomers Aristotle Ptolmey Copernicus Galileo Kepler

Aristotle (350BC) believed the Earth was the center of the universe (geocentric- Earth-centered).

Ptolmey (100AD) believed the Earth was the center of the universe.

Ancient Astronomers Continued- Copernicus (1473) Believed the Sun was the center of the universe (heliocentric- Sun-centered). Wrote that Earth rotated once daily on its axis and traveled around the Sun once a year.

Ancient Astronomers Continued- Galileo In 1609, was the first to use a telescope Said there were more stars than previously thought Described craters on the Moon Discovered moons orbiting Jupiter Saw sunspots Believed the Sun was the center of the universe

Jupiter’s Galilean moons

Johannes Kepler

Kepler determined the planets orbits were ellipses, not circles.

The ‘Space Race’ began in October 1957 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite.

In January 1958, the United States launched its first satellite, Explorer I.

April 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin (USSR) became the first human to orbit the Earth.

May 5, 1961 Alan Sheppard, Jr. was the first American in space.

February 20, 1962 John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth.

September 12, 1962 President John Kennedy challenged America.

July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong became the first man on the Moon.

Apollo 11 carried Neil Armstrong, “Buzz’ Aldrin, and Michael Collins to the Moon.

United States Space Program Project Mercury’s mission was to orbit a piloted craft and bring the astronaut safely back to Earth. Project Gemini’s mission was to connected space craft in orbit and investigates the effects of space travel on the human body. Project Apollo’s mission was to land a man on the Moon and safely return him to Earth.

Mercury

Gemini

Apollo

Other Craft Used to Explore Space Probe Shuttle Space Station Orbiter Lander Rover

Unmanned spacecraft called rovers have been sent to explore other planets, such as Mars.

Space Shuttle

Skylab, the United States first space station

International Space Station