Future Space travel Concept
Antimatter Engines are being researched today. Antimatter is the most potent fuel known and 10 mg of Antimatter could replace 10 tons of rocket fuel. Antimatter is a substance that when in contact with matter, will release large amounts of energy. The problem with Antimatter Engines is that they produce Gamma rays which can "They penetrate matter and break apart molecules in cells, so they are not healthy to be around," states a scientist from NASA. In addition, the reactor would need to stay in an orbit out of earths way for at least 1 million years for it to be safe.
Early Vehicles
Sputnik 1Sputnik is the first artificial satellite created and sent to space. Created by the Soviet Union, Sputnik was about the size of a volleyball and could not hold a live payload until later models. All it held was a thermometer, radio ,and a battery.
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Explorer 1An American spaceship used to transport scientific equipment to space. The spaceship orbited the Earth for 12 years. Explorer also carried the instrument that discovered the radiation belts around Earth.
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Mercury RocketThe USA spacecraft that could hold 1 person inside the capsule at the bottom. Multiple unmanned flights were already done and the Mercury Spacecraft was used to transport vehicles as well.
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Vanguard 1The Vanguard was the first satellite to make use of solar power. The Vanguard was also the 2nd US object to orbit the Earth and longest orbiting artificial satellite.
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Sputnik 5Sputnik 5, a USSR ship, carried 2 dogs in addition to a small payload. After a 1 day trip, the dogs were recovered live.
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Voyager 1 The first spacecraft travelling into interstellar space. The Voyager carries a camera but was turned off to save power. Voyager 1 is on a trip to a star in the Ursa Major constellation. It will arrive 1.7 light years away in the year 40,272.
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