Tahra Mamoun
Tahra Mamoun always wanted to do something special with her life, even dreaming about travelling to space at a young age. Little did she know this wish would come true, although not in the way that she initially envisioned.
The theme of space travel runs through Seven Point Eight: Beyond, and various milestones are referenced and celebrated in the book. Let’s look at a brief history of space travel, from fiction to reality.
The History of Space Travel: Humanity’s Journey to the Stars
For centuries, humans have looked up at the night sky and dreamed of venturing beyond Earth. What was once the realm of myth and science fiction has become a reality, shaping our understanding of the universe. The history of space travel is a tale of ambition, ingenuity, and the relentless pursuit of the unknown.
From Fiction to Reality
Before rockets carried astronauts into space, writers imagined the possibilities. In 1865, Jules Verne’s From the Earth to the Moon envisioned a lunar voyage, while H.G. Wells’ The First Men in the Moon (1901) explored space travel long before technology made it feasible. These stories laid the foundation for scientific exploration, inspiring the minds that would eventually make spaceflight real.
The Space Race Begins
The modern era of space travel began in 1957 when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite. This tiny, beeping sphere marked the dawn of the Space Age and ignited the Cold War-era Space Race between the USSR and the United States. Just four years later, in 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space aboard Vostok 1, circling the Earth in a single orbit.
Determined to surpass Soviet achievements, the U.S. launched the Apollo program, culminating in Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the Moon on July 20, 1969. The iconic words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” cemented humanity’s place in space.
Beyond the Moon: The Future Beckons
Since Apollo, space travel has expanded beyond national pride. The International Space Station (ISS) has been a home for astronauts from around the world since 2000. Private companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are pioneering commercial spaceflight, aiming for Mars and beyond.
From myth to Moon landings and the dream of interstellar travel, humanity’s journey into space is just beginning. The stars that once seemed unreachable may one day be our next home.
What giant leap will Tahra make in Seven Point Eight: Beyond? Is her own journey into space just beginning?