Spacecraft
A spacecraft is a flying vehicle which can survive in the vacuum of space. Most spacecraft rely on rockets for propulsion, though there are other ways such as solar sails.
satellites
[edit | edit source]Spacecraft that remain in Earth orbit are commonly referred to as satellites. According to the United Nations, As of April 2014[update], over 80 nations have launched satellites.[1]
space probes
[edit | edit source]As of 2026[update] six nations have launched space probes that have traveled beyond Earth's orbit.
manned spacecraft
[edit | edit source]The Soviet Union launched the first manned spacecraft, Vostok 1, on April 12, 1961.[2] It was crewed by Yuri Gargarin, dubbed a cosmonaut, who returned safely to Earth 108 minutes later.
The United States was the second nation to launching a manned spacecraft, when it sent Alan Sheppard on a 15 minute sub-orbital flight, on May 6, 1961, on Freedom 7.[3] The USA referred to its space travelers as "astronauts".
China was the third nation to launch manned spacecraft, with Shenzhou V, on October 15, 2003.[4] China refers to its space travelers as "taikonauts".
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "United Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space". United Nations. 2014-04-30. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
- ↑
"On This Day: Birthdays: March 9". The Associated Press. 1968-03-28. Retrieved 2026-06-10 – via The New York Times.
Colonel Gagarin made man's first flight in space on April 12, 1961, a one-orbit trip lasting 108 minutes.
- ↑
"Mercury Crew Bids Farewell To Colleague, Alan Shepard". The Associated Press. 1998-08-02. Retrieved 2026-06-10 – via The New York Times.
It was Mr. Shepard's 15-minute flight on May 5, 1961 aboard the Freedom 7 Mercury spacecraft that made the United States a contender in the race for the moon.
- ↑ "Shenzhou V_CHINA MANNED SPACE". CHINA MANNED SPACE. 2003-10-15. Retrieved 2026-06-10.