The global space race begins during the Cold War (1947-1991). Today, competition and collaboration rise among countries seeking universal wisdom and international power. Here are five, and an honorable mention.
United States (Middle North America)
The USA's space history spikes by with the Apollo program, landing humans on the moon in 1969. Today, the space program is a growing entanglement of NASA and private commercially oriented companies.
Mars Exploration: NASA's Perseverance rover lands on Mars February 2021. It's equipped with advanced technology to search for signs of ancient life and collect rock samples for future return to Earth.
Its forerunner, Curiosity, launching Nov 2011, is initially planned to last only three months. Almost fourteen years later it's still diligently trundling along, sending data back to Earth.
Artemis Program: This initiative hopes to send humans around the moon and back to earth after 2026.
Space Shuttle Program: Revolutionizes spaceflight with reusable spacecraft.
International Space Station (ISS): The country is a partner in the ISS, contributing to research and operations.
The current situation in the US is highly volatile. Its extreme right position, anti-abortion laws, mass government firings, blatant cronyism and trade war attacks on former allies create hostility.
American deportation of immigrants, suppression of gay and women's rights and its other recent actions are condemned by many. Fearful citizens attempt to refugee to Canada, America's major trade war target.
The involvement of US billionaires in politics promotes extreme right views and ongoing destruction of Middle North America. This sets precedents for private commercial billionaires to overtly, rather than covertly, influence puppet politics and exploit the space race.
Russia
Russia sends the first dating back to the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957. A satellite, it's the first successful artificial orbit of earth. The launch begins the Space Age and the US/USSR space race.
Today, the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, remains influential. Accomplishments include:
Soyuz Spacecraft: This vehicle has been transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for over 20 years, providing about 50% of access to the ISS.
First Human in Space (Yuri Gagarin): A historic achievement defining Soviet leadership in early days of human space flight.
Mir: The first modular space station, Mir is assembled in orbit from 1986 to 1996. It operates until 2001, first by the Soviet Union and later by the Russian Federation.
A microgravity research laboratory, Mir supported experiments in biology, human biology, physics, astronomy, meteorology, and craft systems. Its goal was to develop technologies for permanent occupation of space.
Lunar Exploration: Russia is developing the Orel spacecraft for lunar missions launching no sooner than 2028.
Continued Development of Rocket Technology: Russia continues to develop advanced rocket technology for future lunar and deep-space missions.
Russia has contributed to various international missions, focusing on Mars and other celestial bodies. The 21st century ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War channels Russia's budget into warfare and weapons.
Russia has paused active involvement in Mars exploration. Despite political conflicts and violence on Earth, European, Russian and other astronauts work together harmoniously aboard the ISS.
China
China has rapidly become a powerful force in space with the China National Space Administration (CNSA) at the forefront. Noteworthy achievements include:
Tiangong Space Station: Launched in 2021, this modular space station is fully operational by 2022, China with an ongoing presence in low Earth orbit.
The permanent space station is a milestone in China's independent space program. China is not a partner in the ISS.
Mars and Lunar Missions: The Chang’e 5 mission in December 2020 bring back lunar samples to Earth. Tianwen-1 successfully operates a rover on Mars, making China the second country to achieve this feat.
The Mars Rover Zhurong surpasses life expectancy of two months to spend over a year investigating the surface of Mars. Though Zhurong succumbs to space dust, its accompanying satellite continues to orbit.
Human Spaceflight Program (Shenzhou): Successfully launches taikonauts into space, establishing China as a major participant in the evolution of human spaceflight.
Lunar Exploration (Chang'e Program): Successfully lands rovers on the far side of the moon, a world first.
Development of Advanced Rocket Technology: Actively developing advanced rocket technology, including the Long March series, capable of launching heavy payloads into orbit.
China plans manned lunar missions in the coming decade. China prioritizes self-reliance and national development, while seeking to maintain a strong hold in politics, world influence and warfare.
In Dec 2024 China takes advantage of US political upheaval. It bans export of materials such as tungsten, antimony, gallium, germanium and more needed in technology, robotics and space exploration.
India
India's space program, managed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), is characterized by cost-effectiveness and focus on practicality. Key achievements include:
Chandrayaan-1 (Lunar Orbiter 2008): Confirms presence of water molecules on the moon.
Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission 2013): India becomes the first country to reach Mars on its first attempt and does so on a comparatively low budget of 6.5 billion rupees or $74 million US.
Chandrayaan-2 moon mission in 2019 hopes for a soft landing but a software error causes the lander to crash. The satellite continues to orbit the Moon.
PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle): A reliable launch vehicle known for cost-effectiveness and success rate.
GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle): Able to launch heavier payloads into geostationary orbit.
Remote Sensing and Communication Satellites: Providing crucial data for weather forecasting, disaster management, and communication services within India and the region.
European Union
The European Space Agency (ESA), an alliance of multiple European countries, exemplifies international cooperation in space exploration. Significant achievements include:
Rosetta Mission: In 2014, this mission successfully lands the Philae probe on a comet, yielding data about the composition of the solar system and origins of comets.
Copernicus Program: With over 30 satellites, ESA monitors climate change and collects environmental data. Polish Renaissance polymath Copernicus develops the heliocentric theory in 1543. Despite support from followers, he fears repercussions dares not publish it until he's on his deathbed.
Ariane Rocket Family: A launch system to put satellites into orbit.
Gaia Mission: Mapping over a billion stars to create the most detailed ever 3D map of the Milky Way.
Partnership with the ISS: Significant contributions to the ISS, including the operation of the Columbus module. The module is a pressurized lab on the International Space Station (ISS) supporting scientific research.
The Columbus module's functions include:
Study how long-term microgravity affects the human body
Research new metals
Grow plants
Probe astronauts' blood, bodies, and brains
The European Space Agency (ESA) is a collaborative effort among European nations. It combines expertise and resources for ambitious projects. Among other accomplishments, the ESA is known for its successful experiments with bacteria in space.
Honorable Mention (Miss Congeniality): Canada
Canadarm or Canadarm1, officially Shuttle Remote Manipulator System or SRMS, also SSRMS. It's a series of robotic arms used on Space Shuttle orbiters to deploy, maneuver and capture payloads.
Canadarm2 is permanently attached to the ISS. It grapples and relocates modules, moves astronauts into position, adds and moves new modules, services and maintains the space station
Dextre is a versatile robot maintaining the International Space Station. Part of Canada's contribution to the Station, it is the most sophisticated space robot ever built.
Dextre's tasks include:
install and replace small equipment, like exterior cameras or the 100-kg batteries used on the Space Station
replace defective components in the Station's electrical system
test new tools and robotics techniques
Dextre can move on the exterior of the ISS or ride on the end on the Canadarm. These innovations are of vast help to space exploration, universal understanding and astronaut safety.
READ: Lora Ley Adventures - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series
READ: Reiker For Hire - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries