Long before I was born and even longer before my kids were born, the Space Age began. In the 1950’s the Soviet Union kicked off this exciting time in the world when space exploration became a prime focus. Sputnik, which was the first human-made satellite (something that orbits a planet or other celestial body), was launched by the Soviet Union. It orbited earth and sent out radio signals, but more perhaps more importantly, its launch inspired the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration - NASA - was developed in the United States, and competition between the two countries to reach new heights in space, so to speak, led to many advancements including sending people and animals into space and eventually, walking on the moon.