International Space Race

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China's unmanned space capsule Shenzhou lies on the desert ground in November 1999 after a successful reentry into the atmosphere. It landed in Inner Mongolia in north China following 21 hours of orbiting the earth. (AP/Wide World)

China's unmanned space capsule Shenzhou lies on the desert ground in November 1999 after a successful reentry into the atmosphere. It landed in Inner Mongolia in north China following 21 hours of orbiting the earth. (AP/Wide World)

American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts may grab most of the headlines when it comes to uncovering the secrets of the stars, but we are not alone in the race for space. Many other countries have an interest in space, too. Here's a list of the most-active space explorers.

CHINA
China has been putting more and more money and resources into their space program. In January, the Chinese government announced that they hoped to launch 10 satellites, rockets, and spacecrafts this year.

In late March, China launched its third spacecraft, Shenzou III, into orbit. The first Shenzou spacecraft was launched in 1970, carrying a monkey, a dog, and some snails. The second craft was launched last year.

China's space-program leaders want to launch a few more test crafts before sending a taikonaut—a Chinese astronaut—into space. Plans are under way to send a taikonaut to the moon by 2005.

INDIA
India approaches its space program very differently from the U.S. Like China, it is a huge country with more than a billion people relying heavily on food production. The main purpose of India's space program is to provide an excellent communications system—and accurate weather forecasts.

India's 40-year-old space-program has launched some of the most advanced weather and communications satellites in the world. Many countries, including the U.S., rely on India's satellites for up-to-date information.

The philosophy behind India's space program was conceived by its founder, Dr. Vikram Sarabha. "We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned spaceflight," he said. "But we are convinced that...we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society."

EUROPE
When the European Space Agency (ESA) was born 25 years ago, its purpose was to catch up to the U.S. and Russia. Now, the ESA is one of the most-successful space programs in the world, coordinating the efforts of its 15 member states.

The launchpads of the Paris-based agency have been full over the past decade, and will be busy for years to come. The ESA worked with NASA to launch the famously far seeing Hubble Space Telescope in 1990, and worked with Japan to launch the advanced telecommunications satellite Artemis last year. In 2003, it will launch the Mars Express, which may provide the closest inspection of the Red Planet ever.

"During this century, the human species will make stupendous choices about the uses of space," said ESA's director Antonio Rodotà. "We have to be strong enough to be sure that Europe is in the room when the decisions are taken."

CANADA
Quick—what nation launched the third satellite in space, after the U.S. and Russia?

It's Canada, with it's launch of Alouette 1 40 years ago. America's northern neighbor has been a major player in the space business for a long time.

Like India, Canada is a large country—and it is a world leader in satellite technology.

The Canadian space program has also led the way in environmental experiments conducted from space. Its space-based instruments study Earth's atmosphere and provide important data about the ozone layer, the layer of the atmosphere that protects us from the sun's harmful rays.

Celebrate Jamestown
Four hundred years ago, a ship of European settlers landed in what became known as Jamestown, Virginia. What happened in that settlement helped shape American society as we know it today. Learning from those early days could help us settle other places, like Mars.

A Final Trip to Hubble
Astronauts aboard the shuttle Atlantis blasted into outer space Monday on a dangerous and challenging mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.

Crashing Galaxies
What happens when galaxies collide? Thanks to recent photos taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, we can see for ourselves.

LESSON PLAN	Lesson 2: Phases of the Moon In this lesson and worksheet, students learn about basic moon phases, and then color in sections of moon according to its pattern.
ONLINE ACTIVITY	The View from Hubble See what the Hubble Space Telescopes sees in this slide show.