Since 1957, when the Soviet Union (now Russia) launched Sputnik 1, a string of space exploration missions has given us a rich understanding of our Solar System. We have discovered the mountains of our Moon, the rings and satellites of Saturn, and more. In recent decades, probes have made one-way voyages to visit planets in our Solar System and beyond. These spacecraft are controlled from Earth and send back information on the environment, atmospheres, and even traces of life on other celestial bodies.
In addition to expanding our knowledge, space exploration has other benefits. It bolsters the economy by creating highly skilled jobs and fueling technological advances with practical applications. The United States’ and other countries’ investment in space exploration also grows the pool of public funds that can be used to solve the world’s most pressing problems.
Until humans are ready to return to the Moon and voyage farther, robotic spacecraft will continue to fill in the gaps in our knowledge of other parts of our Solar System and the universe. They will help us learn more about how the body and mind of a human might function during extended forays into space. And they will test technologies that would be required for a future journey to other stars.