The big question though, is could we have progressed any faster and further in that space of time? The answer to that question is a big resounding YES!

Since we have been civilised enough to be able to maintain a system of currency, we have had to rely on that very method of exchange, and commerce has taken full advantage of this situation. In fact, commerce has become so powerful that it actually controls the rate at which we progress.

There are currently three levels of technology in existence.

1) Commercial Technology.
This is the technology we use in everyday life. Covering all manner of toys, tools and useful objects. However, the level at which commercial technology is at. Is higher than that used in commercially available products. Now we could argue that the technology they hold back, is not fully tested, and therefore not completely safe. This might be true in very small percentages. The major reason for holding back is good old money. It’s all about making as much money out of a particular product before they move on to the next one. How many times have you seen products advertised as cutting edge at cut price? Only to find that they are outdated months later. Hard selling of latest technology at low prices is a key indicator that commerce is about to release a technologically superior product. So perhaps you can now see the control. What would happen to our technology if this didn’t happen?

2) Military Technology.
This is more advanced than commercial technology. There’s a lot of military technology we know about, and a lot we don’t know about. Governments will hold back the release of this technology into the commercial arena, because it can give them a tactical advantage in a military sense. The components used in military hardware will generally have a longer life than those used in commercial products. I remember having a component catalogue in the 1980’s. I could buy standard or military components. Standard were guaranteed for 1 year. Military for 5 years. They are generally more expensive. Commerce avoids using these products. The excuse is cost but it’s more likely to be because they want to sell you products at regular intervals. Having a product that lasted for a long time would be counter productive to them.

3) Experimental Technology.
This area is way ahead of commercial technology, but is closely watched by the military. There are developments currently in progress which are things that you possibly, couldn’t even comprehend, or didn’t even think was in the realm of possibility. The deepest and most secret of these are run by government bodies, and some of them, apparently, don’t exist. Again, this is for tactical reasons. If you could see what they were cooking up you would be amazed in one sense, and possibly frightened out of your skin.

So there we have it. After taking all these points into consideration, it’s quite obvious to see that progress is thwarted by these processes. Well, let’s see what the next few decades bring. Don’t worry though. Most of it is already here.

The satellite carrying different types of electro optical sensors and cameras produces digital images representing an array of digital numbers which is based on variation of radiant energy. The quality of a digital image is responsible for the resolution of sensor apart from atmospheric effect and its sensor characteristics. On the other hand, resolution is depend upon aspects of remote sensing system itself including nature, design, and performance as well as ambient condition during the sensing program and subsequent processing of the acquired data in the ground station. Day by day, quality of the sensor systems is also developing for better results.

The important and effective earth resource satellites of countries are the Landsat series of USA provide ETM+ and MSS sensor, HRV sensor of SPOT Satellite series of France providing high spatial resolution data and LISS-III, LISS IV,  Pan Sensor of present IRS series of satellites like  (IRS-P5 Cartosat-1,IIRS Cartosat-2,IRS-P6 Resourcesat-1, ) . At present, USA IKONOS satellite data is more demandable for large scale mapping in the geo-engineering aspect due to its higher spatial resolution and its fine sensor systems. The world’s first commercial satellite the IKONOS launched in 1999 to collect black-and-white images with 1-meter resolution and multi-spectral imagery with 4-meter resolution. The India’s RESOURSAT-1, launched in October 2003 was a tremendous achievement in the constellation of Indian Remote Sensing’s (IRS) six satellites for enhancing the researches and to apply more such programmes in the field of natural resources management. The LISS-IV is one of the sensors that are carried by Satellite RESOUSAT-1 which will enable to give fine spatial details similar to MSS of Ikonos. The panchromatic camera of IRS IC and 1D have already produced good data for medium and large scale mapping in the field of different application.

GIS or Geographic Information System, which is an integrating technology, deals with spatial data commonly used in the context of Geo-Base Information System, Geo-data System, Natural Resource Information System, and Geographical Data System. Now a days, GIS have emerged as a very powerful tool because a scientist of  Geology ,Geography, Geophysics ,Engineering /Soil Science can integrate the data to create a new digital database to delineate the new types of analysis and favorable modeling according to his  field of interest. GIS, also known as database management system has three basic important components: Computer Hardware, Set of Application Module and Proper organizational context. Application module is a GIS software package consists of some basic technical modules like data input, storage, output, retrieve, transformation and interpretation with users. Expertise is essential and one should have the ability to use new technology in the proper organizational context. The most important characteristics of GIS to enable the analysis of spatial data and their attributes contained in the database.

Besides, Remote Sensing and GIS the other technique like the Global Positioning Systems is an associate tool to make out the success in the field of space science application. The NAVSTAR GPS (Navigation System with Time and Ranging Global Positioning System) consists of 21 satellites with 3 spare satellites that provide precise 3-D position and time information to the users. It was developed by USA in 1973 and is still being upgraded by the Department of Defense, USA. The GPS satellites act as reference points and the GPC receiver on the ground resets its position accordingly. The Global Positioning System is a powerful tool which has provided and would continue to provide the location or spatial data in geographic information system.

It may be mentioned here that the USA is the only authorized country to operate and monitor the positioning systems and the rest of the world is dependent on them for establishing global positioning system. This NAVASTAR GPS and military space technology are the strategic technologies that have helped to make them superpower over the rest of the world. USA had fought against the Afghanistan and Iraq with the help of satellite based war technology after the terror strike in to World Trade Centre. Besides it, their continuous operation and monitoring of each and every suspected country by America with the help of modern space technology have compelled other nations to frequently remind them of spying, with the motive of acquiring information through remote sensing techniques. The modernized remote sensing satellite like Ikonos, Quick Bird and Landsat having enhanced thematic mapper sensor along with sole GPS constellation procuring self better accuracy including NASA’s different mission of technology conglomearately made USA very powerful in this world.

Therefore, the Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote sensing (RS) technique, and Global Positioning system (GPS) are well recognized powerful tools in evaluating, managing monitoring of resources considering their spatial distribution capabilities. Most Government and International Organizational are adopting these technologies because of its numerous advantages over the conventional methods. Remote sensing application ranges from remote resource management for routine operation, monitoring and efficient management to favorable strategic planning. Remote Sensing and GIS are now being used in various fields along with specific applications like Environmental Management, Urban and Regional Planning, Disaster Management, Mineral Exploration and Water Resource Prospect and Management, Forest Monitoring and Management and Soil and Agriculture Management etc.

Countries like USA, France, Japan, Russia, China and India have achieved in that position that they have ability to develop their technological management of various resources for the use of mankind with the help of latest remote sensing research program. These countries have utilized and managed their resources for the development of their country to the fullest by using satellite data and geographic information system. Presently, India has also become advanced in space technology in the Asia Pacific region. Our country has come out successful in the space technological development and operational systems within three decades of launching its first satellite, Aryabhatta on April 19, 1975. Since then, India has shown a gradual progress in developing communication satellites, meterological satellites; remote sensing satellites, technological satellite and the launching of polar and geosynchronous vehicles.   The heaviest satellite Cartosat –I, First education satellite EDUSAT and , indigenous GSLV , PSLV apart from enhancement of multispectral sensor like Liss-III, LISS-IV and also Panchromatic camera are the tremendous goal of success giving  not only to this extra peninsular country but also to entire Asia pacific region. Moreover, as concern to the transfer of technology in terms of resource management and monitoring and evaluation, the country is harnessing the goal of success in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Institute. The ITC, Netherland , GDTA of French, RESTEC of Japan are the important center that the country,s updated research and studies significantly are going to be more advanced with the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing , Dehradun through the transfer of technology and management.

Moreover, the other remote sensing new LiDAR Technology or Airborne Altimetry LiDAR or Laser Altimetry recently developed and have more advantaged in terms of accuracy.  The canopy penetration, higher data density, minimum GCP, and low cost are the major achievement apart from irrespective to weather and cloud during sensing time. Oil and Mineral resource development and exploration, Flood hazard zone and forecasting, Ground water estimation, ground water recharge, watershed prioritization, land-based mobile mapping, City Drainage Network planning, Land subsidence and landslides, vegetation and Forest Mapping and management, classification of land use/ land cover and regional planning city are possible with the help of Remote Sensing Technique which provide more accuracy besides time and cost effective.

For centuries our scientists and astronomers have shaped how the world is seen and they continue to add to our knowledge of the Universe through space missions and ground-based science.

The following list highlights some of the most important
discoveries for science as well as key missions involving British scientists and engineers.

1668 – Sir Isaac Newton builds the first reflecting telescope. Over 300 years later, Newton’s invention forms the basis of the Hubble Space Telescope.

1675 – John Flamsteed becomes the first Astronomer Royal at The Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

1687 – Newton publishes Principia Mathematica, possibly the most important book in the history of science. It contains his theory of universal gravitation, marking the beginning of modern astronomy.

1705 – Edmund Halley correctly predicts that a comet seen in 1682 would reappear in 1758. The comet, now named after Halley, is visible from Earth every 7576 years. It featured in the famous Bayeux Tapestry, was last seen from Earth in 1986 and observed in close-up by ESA’s Giotto spacecraft. The comet will return in 2061.

1781 – William Herschel, a German musician who spent his whole life in England, discovers the planet Uranus with a mirror telescope of his own creation.

1798 – Henry Cavendish, an English chemist and physicist, first measures the force of gravity between two objects.

1846 – Calculations made by English mathematician John Couch Adams enable Johann Galle to see Neptune for the first time.

1856 – Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell proves that Saturn’s rings are not solid, liquid or gaseous but are actually made up of different independent particles.

1897 – JJ Thompson, a leading English mathematician and physicist of the late 19th century, discovers the electron.

1919 – During an expedition to view a solar eclipse in Africa, English astrophysicist Arthur Eddington proves Einstein’s prediction that gravity bends light.

1932 – English physicist James Chadwick proves the existence of neutrons.

1957 – Launch of first British Skylark sounding rocket.

1957 – The UK’s massive Jodrell Bank radio telescope becomes operational.

1957 – Sputnik becomes the first manmade object to enter orbit.

1957 – Russian dog Laika becomes the first creature to be launched into space.

1959 – In September Soviets crash land a probe on the Moon. A few weeks later Lunik 3 sends back the first pictures of the far side of the Moon.

1959 – First meeting of the British National Committee on Space. This is the first committee to advise the government on space issues. Later in the year, Harold Macmillan announces a new British space research programme.

1961 – Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man to orbit the Earth and returns a hero.

1962 – The first international satellite, Ariel 1, is launched. Built by NASA, it contained six instruments developed by British scientists.

1963 – Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space.

1963 – The British Government establishes the Space Research Management Unit, a forerunner of the BNSC.

1965 – Cosmonaut Alexi Leonov is the first person to ‘walk’ in space.

1967 – The first all British satellite, Ariel 3, is launched.

1969 – On 21 July, Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to set foot on the surface of the Moon.

1971 – British Prospero satellite launched on British Black Arrow launch vehicle.

1975 – The European Space Agency (ESA) is established with the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland as founder members.

1976 – America’s Viking I spacecraft lands on Mars and sends back the first photographs of the planet’s surface.

1979 – The first European-built rocket, Ariane 1, successfully completes its maiden flight.

1980 – The Voyager 1 space probe sends back vivid images of Saturn.

1985 – The British Government sets up the BNSC.

1986 – Space station Mir is launched by the Soviet Union.

1988 – Professor Stephen Hawking publishes A Brief History of Time, the most influential book about space written in the last 100 years.

1990 – The Hubble Space Telescope is launched.

1991 – Helen Sharman from Sheffield becomes the first Briton in space when she joins the crew for Project Juno. This was a Soviet mission, partly funded by British companies.

1992 – Michael Foale becomes the first British-born man in space, as part of the crew for the Space Shuttle mission STS45.

1995 – The joint NASA/ESA Solar Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is launched.

1997 – The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft, a joint mission between NASA, ESA and the Italian Space Agency, is launched to Saturn.

1997 – The Pathfinder robot begins its exploration of Mars.

2001 – The Aurora project begins, with the first launch due in 2011.

2002 – Piers Sellers joins the crew of the STS112 mission and becomes the third British-born astronaut in space.

2002 – The first satellite for the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) is launched. All five satellites in the group have been built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.

2003 – The launch of Mars Express.

2003 – Europe’s first mission to the Moon, Smart1, is launched.

2003 – China succeeds in sending its first manned spacecraft into orbit.

2003 – Mars Express arrives in orbit. It releases the Beagle 2 probe but the signal from the lander is lost.

2004 – ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft launched on its way to a rendezvous with Comet 67P/ChuryumovGerasimenko.

2004 – The Mercury Messenger mission is launched to the Sun’s closest planet.

2005 – The Huygens probe begins its descent through Titan’s atmosphere. The first part of the probe to land on Titan was built in Britain.

2005 – The European Venus Express mission is launched and Mars Express sends back images of the Red Planet.

2005 – The world’s largest and most sophisticated civilian telecommunications satellite, UK-built Inmarsat4 f1, goes into orbit.

2005 – Launch of GioveA, the first satellite in the Galileo global positioning system.

2006 – NASA’s New Horizons mission heads for the outer reaches of our Solar System towards Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.

2006 – Venus Express reaches its final orbit and begins to send back data.

2006 – Solar B, later renamed Hinode, is launched. This three year mission to study the Sun involves ESA and the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

2006 – After a highly successful mission, Smart1 undergoes a controlled ‘crash’ into the Moon.

2007 – Japan launches Kaguya (formerly SELENE) for a global survey of the Moon.

2008 – India’s first mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-1, is due for launch.

Solid form of technological advancement interpretation and the way it emanates from nature ,speaking in terms of idealists, it shapes into a classical model of synthetic explanations, which defines the technological circle as formal, secondary characteristic of individual interactions with nature. The aspect o technological determination is added to natural domain ,regarding synthetic interaction with nature ,relation between technology and nature is,a s for these concepts of explanation ,immanent,e ssentially impracticable.A possibility stems from shaping, factual ,state which subject reduces from nature influenced by technology.

Provided that subquantum world represents fundamental entity of factual world, is the subquantum world itself a metaresult of technological circle?Being incorporated into the fundamental range of natural, technology would turn the full the circle as non-spreading shape .Its inner substance would excel the result of the very evolution. Speaking of metaphysical poetry, it would be amazed by technology, not by its complexity, but for it excels the semantic of pure determination as a concrete being of practical world .From the starting point, which is originally referring to practical approach to nature , it finds its own realization in substantive influence on absolute entity of – world, to subquantum entity. By this process technology would , closing the evolutionary circle, abandon the originality of physical world. Synthetic form of metaphysical incarnation of technology would strengthen; nevertheless, this analyse intention is not to establish the horizon of its (technological) final revolution as meta-aspect. Forms of quantity and quality ,equalizing technological relation and natural ,become completely useless. Assumption of taking initiative action implicates a huge possibility of technological meta determination of natural flow; every interaction, causal relation,any natural manifestation are being modified by subquantum technology. Countless options of nanotechnology in virtual, parallel reality construction appears to be essential regression concerning subquantum technology. Problem appears here, in state section ,on condition that finalization of evolution process understands own starting point transcendence ,sublimated in visible macroplan of nature ,which is fundamental to changing the essential form of existence. On condition that theoretical models point out to interpreting suitability of subquantum as absolute, subquantum technology would be as far from the result of infinitely successive circle of its own evolution.

Space technology is technology that is related to entering space, maintaining and using systems during spaceflight and returning people and things from space.

Subquantum technology basics

Principles of quantum mechanics are based on the claim that the fundamental entity concerning all interactions in nature is quantum, defined as form of indivisible unit carrying an absolute minimum of energy .In a word,any process of interaction, emission or absorbing of all materials energetic conditions is exclusively possible in form of infinitesimal quantum continuance .According to theoretical implications method , metaphysics and physics matches.

As a subject of research , subquantum level of nature is being realistic ,not only metaphysicist, but also to physicist , regarding theoretical concepts. This aspect of nature excels any range of scientific or any other form of perception .Basic reason is most simple: considering the fact that perception sphere is being modified inside the quantum instance of nature , in order to implement any form of knowledge, it must be based upon quantum “behaviour” of natural interactions. Realization of subquantum instance theoretically implied, although its practical significance or experimental induction are impossible .

Solid form of technological advancement interpretation and the way it emanates from nature ,speaking in terms of idealists, it shapes into a classical model of synthetic explanations, which defines the technological circle as formal, secondary characteristic of individual interactions with nature. Structure of technological image is exclusively based upon domain of interactive, process related, although its peculiarity absolutely can’t possibly be derived from natural substratum. The aspect o technological determination is added to natural domain ,regarding synthetic interaction with nature ,relation between technology and nature is,a s for these concepts of explanation ,immanent,e ssentially impracticable.A possibility stems from shaping, factual ,state which subject reduces from nature influenced by technology.

Specification of technological advancement is concentrated to reducing the practical domain of technical implementation considering the sphere of reality and perceptiveness.Realization ,practicable and technical is in direct connection to expectation of scientific theory principle which proves itself. Technology evolved in just a few decades .Considering the fact that technology raised, for instance, in nineteen forties the size limit was 10-5 milimetres, while nowdays contemporary science moved the limits towards 10-10 meters or 10 -7 milimetres.T his is the domain of very popular nanotechnology .Quantum physics concept in a pretty self-confident way pleads with absolute influence to the real world of subatomic entity of nature ,although the theoretical concept itself, regarding analytical method used for its definition, seems to be very self –destructive and fragile. Subquantum aspect of natural interactions, like absolute foundation of visible and invisible is theoretically and implicitly unpredictable in its adherence, which should be considered as variable; subquant world is not a subject to laws of existing world, so should any discerning reader notice that ,according to conceptual explanations of interactive manifestations, certain processes should be assigned to a cathegory of principles semantics. In a word, It is necessary to find some law in illegal. Such conclusion is a mind’s need, like a compromising relief in a visible defining process, but also a fundamental self-deceit of our own world of phenomena is in mind navigating to functionality exclusively referring to cathegories of relational .Pointing this problem in a theoretical manner of explaining the subatomic, it is inevitable to say that our model of perception points out to specific “behaviour” of invisible world of subatomic level of nature. Related to our concept, this world has its own rules, essentially Imperceptible. It is possible to presume its ” intensity “,inner essential determination ,although, according to its constitution, it is impracticable ,for it is not connected with factual world.

Poetical sentence says: a shape whose appearance exclusively stands for itself , has no appearance at all. This problem is going to be mentioned later on,regarding analysis of multidimensional concept relation and relation of selfhood and the instance of consciousness.

Let’s make an assumption that result of technology advance is ,as mentioned, based upon structural minimization, deeper penetrating the natural infinity, regarding as macro as mini entity, even though the practicality of technical advancement incorporates into substantial minimization, or division of manifesting world .As to this, what is the final result of technological advancement? Provided that subquantum world represents fundamental entity of factual world, is the subquantum world itself a metaresult of technological circle?Being incorporated into the fundamental range of natural, technology would turn the full the circle as non-spreading shape .Its inner substance would excel the result of the very evolution. Speaking of metaphysical poetry, it would be amazed by technology, not by its complexity, but for it excels the semantic of pure determination as a concrete being of practical world .From the starting point, which is originally referring to practical approach to nature , it finds its own realization in substantive influence on absolute entity of – world, to subquantum entity. By this process technology would , closing the evolutionary circle, abandon the originality of physical world. Each form of its prediction or attempt on complementary defining would appear to be unsuccessful. Synthetic form of metaphysical incarnation of technology would strengthen; nevertheless, this analyse intention is not to establish the horizon of its (technological) final revolution as meta-aspect. Subquantum technology should ,by surpasing the applicable value, and regarding qualitative peculiarity towards efficiency within natural complex, make transcendence superior to categorizing. Forms of quantity and quality ,equalizing technological relation and natural ,become completely useless. Assumption of taking initiative action implicates a huge possibility of technological meta determination of natural flow; every interaction, causal relation,any natural manifestation are being modified by subquantum technology. Countless options of nanotechnology in virtual, parallel reality construction appears to be essential regression concerning subquantum technology. Quality proportion would be enormously bigger between these two evolution aspects, than between microprocessor and prehistoric stone axe. Provided that nanotechnological field “resource” is 10-10 meters, the aspect of subquantum might be extensively measurable by theoretical models. Essentially and structurally ,microdimensions of subquantum technology would not be determinate, according to upper definition, and intensity would not follow extension. This final” level “of technology would appear to sphere of perception identical to entering the singularity.To our categories of cognition it seems to be incomprehensible , whereas it could be predicative according to existing theoretical models. Example of singularity,I n this case ,ought to be seen as compromising analogy, although regarding the hypothetical case of final technological revolution ,it would be absolutely incomprehensible. Exceeding the quant limit would mean that technology in multidimensional frame absolutely alters space and time continuum ,even the genealogy concept og Universe would be absolutely changed, although this theoretical implication totally unacceptable in its essence .Finalization of technological evolution understands ontological surpassing the world. Problem appears here, in state section ,on condition that finalization of evolution process understands own starting point transcendence ,sublimated in visible macroplan of nature ,which is fundamental to changing the essential form of existence. In a word, how can a form, defined by technological semantic ,practicable realization ,outdoes own form of existential determination placing itself into the aspect of absolute, subquantum. Metaphysical conflict is in the notion and also in the semantic of subquantum. If this entity himself reperesents the absolute entity of nature, turning the full circle becomes expected. On condition that theoretical models point out to interpreting suitability of subquantum as absolute, subquantum technology would be as far from the result of infinitely successive circle of its own evolution. This problem will be examined synthetically highlighting either the notion multidimensionality and reduction of selfhood later on in the text.

One aerospace consultancy, VEGA, believes that ensuring cost effectiveness, risk reduction and seeking international cooperation, are the key factors in maintaining the momentum of the space exploration programmes and their success.

In addition to NASA’s vision to return to the moon, ESA’s Aurora programme, the European national lunar mission studies (Germany, UK, Italy, France), and the exploration activities of Japan, China, Russia and India, there are several entrepreneurial activities developing technologies to enable access to space for mankind.

For centuries our scientists and astronomers have shaped how the world is seen and they continue to add to our knowledge of the Universe through space missions and ground-based science.

The following list highlights some of the most important
discoveries for science as well as key missions involving British scientists and engineers.

1668 – Sir Isaac Newton builds the first reflecting telescope. Over 300 years later, Newton’s invention forms the basis of the Hubble Space Telescope.

1675 – John Flamsteed becomes the first Astronomer Royal at The Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

1687 – Newton publishes Principia Mathematica, possibly the most important book in the history of science. It contains his theory of universal gravitation, marking the beginning of modern astronomy.

1705 – Edmund Halley correctly predicts that a comet seen in 1682 would reappear in 1758. The comet, now named after Halley, is visible from Earth every 7576 years. It featured in the famous Bayeux Tapestry, was last seen from Earth in 1986 and observed in close-up by ESA’s Giotto spacecraft. The comet will return in 2061.

1781 – William Herschel, a German musician who spent his whole life in England, discovers the planet Uranus with a mirror telescope of his own creation.

1798 – Henry Cavendish, an English chemist and physicist, first measures the force of gravity between two objects.

1846 – Calculations made by English mathematician John Couch Adams enable Johann Galle to see Neptune for the first time.

1856 – Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell proves that Saturn’s rings are not solid, liquid or gaseous but are actually made up of different independent particles.

1897 – JJ Thompson, a leading English mathematician and physicist of the late 19th century, discovers the electron.

1919 – During an expedition to view a solar eclipse in Africa, English astrophysicist Arthur Eddington proves Einstein’s prediction that gravity bends light.

1932 – English physicist James Chadwick proves the existence of neutrons.

1957 – Launch of first British Skylark sounding rocket.

1957 – The UK’s massive Jodrell Bank radio telescope becomes operational.

1957 – Sputnik becomes the first manmade object to enter orbit.

1957 – Russian dog Laika becomes the first creature to be launched into space.

1959 – In September Soviets crash land a probe on the Moon. A few weeks later Lunik 3 sends back the first pictures of the far side of the Moon.

1959 – First meeting of the British National Committee on Space. This is the first committee to advise the government on space issues. Later in the year, Harold Macmillan announces a new British space research programme.

1961 – Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man to orbit the Earth and returns a hero.

1962 – The first international satellite, Ariel 1, is launched. Built by NASA, it contained six instruments developed by British scientists.

1963 – Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space.

1963 – The British Government establishes the Space Research Management Unit, a forerunner of the BNSC.

1965 – Cosmonaut Alexi Leonov is the first person to ‘walk’ in space.

1967 – The first all British satellite, Ariel 3, is launched.

1969 – On 21 July, Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to set foot on the surface of the Moon.

1971 – British Prospero satellite launched on British Black Arrow launch vehicle.

1975 – The European Space Agency (ESA) is established with the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland as founder members.

1976 – America’s Viking I spacecraft lands on Mars and sends back the first photographs of the planet’s surface.

1979 – The first European-built rocket, Ariane 1, successfully completes its maiden flight.

1980 – The Voyager 1 space probe sends back vivid images of Saturn.

1985 – The British Government sets up the BNSC.

1986 – Space station Mir is launched by the Soviet Union.

1988 – Professor Stephen Hawking publishes A Brief History of Time, the most influential book about space written in the last 100 years.

1990 – The Hubble Space Telescope is launched.

1991 – Helen Sharman from Sheffield becomes the first Briton in space when she joins the crew for Project Juno. This was a Soviet mission, partly funded by British companies.

1992 – Michael Foale becomes the first British-born man in space, as part of the crew for the Space Shuttle mission STS45.

1995 – The joint NASA/ESA Solar Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is launched.

1997 – The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft, a joint mission between NASA, ESA and the Italian Space Agency, is launched to Saturn.

1997 – The Pathfinder robot begins its exploration of Mars.

2001 – The Aurora project begins, with the first launch due in 2011.

2002 – Piers Sellers joins the crew of the STS112 mission and becomes the third British-born astronaut in space.

2002 – The first satellite for the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) is launched. All five satellites in the group have been built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.

2003 – The launch of Mars Express.

2003 – Europe’s first mission to the Moon, Smart1, is launched.

2003 – China succeeds in sending its first manned spacecraft into orbit.

2003 – Mars Express arrives in orbit. It releases the Beagle 2 probe but the signal from the lander is lost.

2004 – ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft launched on its way to a rendezvous with Comet 67P/ChuryumovGerasimenko.

2004 – The Mercury Messenger mission is launched to the Sun’s closest planet.

2005 – The Huygens probe begins its descent through Titan’s atmosphere. The first part of the probe to land on Titan was built in Britain.

2005 – The European Venus Express mission is launched and Mars Express sends back images of the Red Planet.

2005 – The world’s largest and most sophisticated civilian telecommunications satellite, UK-built Inmarsat4 f1, goes into orbit.

2005 – Launch of GioveA, the first satellite in the Galileo global positioning system.

2006 – NASA’s New Horizons mission heads for the outer reaches of our Solar System towards Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.

2006 – Venus Express reaches its final orbit and begins to send back data.

2006 – Solar B, later renamed Hinode, is launched. This three year mission to study the Sun involves ESA and the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

2006 – After a highly successful mission, Smart1 undergoes a controlled ‘crash’ into the Moon.

2007 – Japan launches Kaguya (formerly SELENE) for a global survey of the Moon.

2008 – India’s first mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-1, is due for launch.