|
 In
the 1960s, space travel became a reality, before then it had only been
fiction, found in comics, science fiction books and movies. Russian cosmonaut,
Yuri Gagarin orbited the Earth in space in 1961; eight years later, American
astronauts walked on the Moon.
However as manned space flights cost millions, no more manned journeys
to the Moon or planets were planned after 1972.
 Space
visitors orbited Earth in the USA’s reusable Space
Shuttle or made visits to the Soviet space station Mir. Unmanned satellites
improved communications between continents, while robot spacecraft sent
space photographs back to Earth, greatly increasing our knowledge of the
faraway planets. On Earth, the use of motor vehicles rapidly grew and
spread throughout the world, while the introduction of large-capacity
jumbo jets boosted air travel.
THE
SPACE AGE
In 1969,
millions of people around the world shared the thrill of man’s first steps
on the Moon, watching live television
broadcasts and newspaper reports of the Apollo 11 mission. Only a
few years had passed since the Soviet Vostok 1 rocket lifted into space,
carrying the first person, Yuri Gagarin into space. Soon there were space
stations and satellites orbiting the Earth, and robot crafts were transmitting
back data and pictures about the unexplored frontiers of space, even landing
on Mars.
THE CONSUMER SOCIETY
AND TRANSPORT
Freight
transport of all forms increased as consumers in wealthier countries went
for goods, such as electrical equipment and cars, that had to be imported
from factories thousands of miles away. Similarly, most people ate locally
produced food, but by the 1980s, shoppers expected to find exotic fruit
and vegetables in their supermarkets all year round. More cargo boats
and freight aircraft, as well as lorries and trucks on the road met these
demands.
JOURNEY INTO THE
UNIVERSE
The longest journey
ever taken steadily goes on, as the spacecraft Voyager 2 speeds farther
and farther away from Earth into the Universe. In 1977, Voyager 2 left
Earth in 1977 and flew past planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune,
before leaving the Solar System forever. This robot explorer will continue
its long voyage of discovery for the hundreds of years to come.
TECHNOLOGY
ROCKET POWER
The balloon
is a type of simple rocket. When it is blown up and released without tying
up its opening, it flies around the room by shooting air outwards and
propelling itself forward. Real rockets work similarly, except they blast
out hot gas instead of air. A rocket motor burns fuel so fast, it gives
thousands of time more power than any other motor of similar size. This
allows it to overcome gravity and travel into space. Fuels require oxygen
to burn, so in space, where there is no oxygen, rockets carry oxidants.
The Space Shuttle uses liquid hydrogen as its main fuel, with liquid oxygen
as its oxidant.
SAFETY
As road accidents
increased, public pressure grew for manufactures to build cars that provided
greater protection for motorists. New safety devices included seat belts
and air bags, which inflate instantly to cushion the motorist in a collision.
Engineers looked into building safer roads, while law-makers created new
rules and tougher penalties for irresponsible drivers.
ENERGY CRISIS
By 1990, there were
400 million cars in the world. Oil supplies are dwindling and pollution
from car exhausts is damaging the atmosphere. Scientists are looking for
alternatives to petrol cars. Presently, solar powered cars are only novelties,
and fall short of motorists’ requirements.
NEW SHIP DESIGNS
New types of ships
have been developed with changing demands. Roll-on
roll-off car ferries, with doors at both ends were developed because
people wanted to drive their cars for their holidays. In coastal waters,
hovercraft and hydrofoils
provide passengers with high-speed services. Supertankers have become
the giants of the sea, transporting oil to meet the world’s fuel needs.
MASS AIR TRAVEL
When wide-bodied jumbo
jets came into service in the 1970s, air travel became more affordable
for millions. Since then, airports have rapidly expanded to cope with
the increasing flood of travellers. Air travel peaks during holiday seasons,
as many take the opportunity to have vacations abroad. Many of the major
airports are like miniature towns, containing shops, restaurants and even
places of worship. There are often hotels nearby.
|
