ith other nations, and how important space exploration is to the general public. NASA is working on a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicle, but until it is until then, NASA plans to us the space shuttle fleet to the year 2012. It is clear that mankind has devoted itself to the exploration of the unknown and that we are committed to find new planets on which man cal live and prosper. Missiles were first used to take man into space. In the Gemini and Mercury missions, missiles without warheads and a compartment for the astronauts was used to get into space. On the other hand, the Saturn 5 Rockets were used in the Apollo missions to reach orbit and land on the moon. This method became too expensive so NASA was forced to develop a reusable space craft. As a result, NASA designed the space shuttle, which is used today. The shuttle takes off like a rocket with an external fuel tank and two solid rocket boosters. The two rocket boosters, which are attached to the external fuel tank, provide additional thrust during lift off and are discarded after first two minutes from take off. They are then retrieved from the ocean to be fixed, refueled, and reused. The external fuel tank supply additional fuel to the three onboard engines and is detached from the shuttle, orbiter, after reaching orbit.Another spacecraft is the X-33 is a single stage orbiter and a smaller version of the venture star. Both of these crafts will be launched like a shuttle but without any additional boosters. They will be able to land, get refueled and loaded with cargo, positioned vertically, and take off within hours. It will make travel to space faster, safer and cheaper. The two crafts will use the spike engine that allows the craft to reach orbit without gong through different stages during lift off. The X-33 and the Venture Star will allow companies to put satellites in orbit for a cheaper cost.Space travel does take its effect on humans. Piloted space fl...
