List of human spaceflights

Apollo 7 photographed in flight by ALOTS (68-HC-641)

List of Human Spaceflights encompasses all crewed space missions throughout history. Human spaceflight, or manned spaceflight, is space travel with a crew or passengers aboard a spacecraft. Spacecrafts carrying humans have been launched by various countries primarily for the purposes of exploration, science, and space colonization.

Early Human Spaceflights

The era of human spaceflight began on April 12, 1961, with the launch of Vostok 1, making Yuri Gagarin the first human to orbit the Earth. This monumental event marked the start of the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States. The Soviet Union continued to achieve significant milestones, including the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, aboard Vostok 6 in 1963.

Apollo Program

The United States' response to the Soviet space achievements was the Apollo program, which aimed to land humans on the Moon and bring them safely back to Earth. The most notable mission was Apollo 11, which landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Armstrong's first steps on the lunar surface were broadcast on live TV to a global audience, marking a significant moment in human history.

Space Shuttle Era

Following the Apollo missions, the focus shifted towards reusable spacecraft, leading to the development of the Space Shuttle program by NASA. The first space shuttle, Columbia, launched on April 12, 1981. The Space Shuttle became a workhorse for American space exploration, facilitating the deployment of satellites, interplanetary probes, and the construction of the International Space Station (ISS).

International Space Station

The International Space Station represents a significant step forward in international cooperation in space. A collaborative project involving NASA, Roscosmos, ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency), the ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory. It has been continuously occupied since November 2000.

Commercial Human Spaceflight

In the 21st century, the emergence of private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin has marked the beginning of commercial human spaceflight. SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft has transported astronauts to the ISS, signifying a new era where space travel is not solely the domain of national governments.

Future of Human Spaceflight

The future of human spaceflight looks towards returning humans to the Moon through programs like NASA's Artemis program, exploring Mars, and potentially beyond. International and commercial partnerships continue to play a crucial role in advancing human presence in space.