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Space Exploration

Space Exploration

Overview

Space exploration is defined as beginning in the early 20th century with the launch of the first rocket, a vehicle propelled by the ejection of gases. The United States reorganized and expanded its space exploration efforts in 1958 with the development of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA began conducting space missions shortly after its creation in response to early Soviet success with its launch of the first manmade Earth satellite.

Many professions contribute to space travel efforts and space exploration draws on a wide variety of technologies. Aerospace careers include engineers, scientists, technicians, computer programmers, pilots, mechanics, graphic artists, and administrators. Careers specific to space exploration include those in the sciences such as physics, biology, and chemistry. Specialized engineering jobs in this industry include: applications engineers, chemical engineers, control dynamics engineers materials engineers, and navigation systems engineers. Engineers are assisted by astronautical and aerospace technicians.

Astronauts, while among the most high-profile professionals in space exploration as the pilots and crew of spacecraft, are employed in fewer numbers. From 1959 to 2020, NASA has selected only 350 astronauts to fly on its space missions. Other professions in space exploration and the aerospace industry are astronomers and astrophysicists. Both astronomers and astrophysicists may apply their findings to aerospace manufacturing and space research and flight.

NASA is the major employer of space exploration professionals in the United States, but it often contracts with a company or companies to build spacecraft to their specifications. A manufacturer also may develop a technology on its own and then try to sell NASA on its usefulness. Space exploration technology is just one sector of the aerospace industry, which also covers the larger industry of commercial aircraft production. Althoug...