As the mid-twentieth century unfolded, the desire to escape Earth's atmosphere to explore space beyond reached a new height. This desire was initially stimulated by the lure of adventure and discovery. To know the unknown has been the strong force behind human exploration and endeavor. Over countless centuries, it has led humans to navigate the planet, mapping and understanding the land. And while discoveries still awaited humans on Earth, they began to look above to the stars and the other planets. Dreams of spaceflight were worked into theories that were placed into practice. Fantasy became a genuine possibility, and rockets were built.

The first artificial satellite to orbit Earth was placed in its position in space in 1957. (An artificial satellite is a man-made device that orbits Earth and other celestial bodies and that follows the same gravitational laws that govern the orbit of a natural satellite...