The Story of Space Travel

Explore space flight from the earliest attempts at rocketry to the future plan for space tourism. From the first dreamers who looked up at the moon to those who stepped on its surface, see the story of how mankind used the scientific method to break the bounds of gravity to leave Earth and travel into space.

Space Travel Firsts

1957

The Soviet Union achieved the first success of the Space Race when the Sputnik I artificial satellite was launched into low Earth orbit on October 4, 1957.

1957

The Soviet Union achieved the first success of the Space Race when the Sputnik I artificial satellite was launched into low Earth orbit on October 4, 1957.

1957

The Soviet Union achieved the first success of the Space Race when the Sputnik I artificial satellite was launched into low Earth orbit on October 4, 1957.

1957

The Soviet Union achieved the first success of the Space Race when the Sputnik I artificial satellite was launched into low Earth orbit on October 4, 1957.

Leaving Earth Interactive Stations

Leaving Earth features interactive stations that challenge visitors to test their motor skills with robotic arms and to discover why planes can’t fly in outer space. Students are encouraged to explore space travel with the Solar System Touch Panel, which puts the entire solar system at their finger tips.