The Space Race: From Apollo 11 to Elon Musk

The space race has evolved from a US-Soviet rivalry to a domain dominated by private companies. The number of space launches has surged from two in 1957 to over 450 recently. Satellites are now used in innovative ways, such as monitoring retail footfall and assessing commodity outputs. Over the past 50 years, space has become a valuable resource for businesses, despite its vast and largely unexplored nature.

How has the space race changed since its inception?

• It is primarily driven by private companies.

• It is now focused on Mars exploration.

• It is now a competition between the US and China.

• It has become less important over time.

What is one of the new ways satellites are being used?

• To explore distant galaxies.

• To monitor retail parking lots for data.

• To provide internet to remote areas.

• To predict weather patterns.

How are commodity companies utilizing satellite technology?

• To track shipping routes.

• To scan mines and factories for output analysis.

• To monitor agricultural growth.

• To measure ocean temperatures.

What significant change has occurred in humanity's understanding of space over the last 50 years?

• Space is no longer considered vast.

• Space exploration has been abandoned.

• Space is seen as a potential resource for businesses.

• Space is now fully understood.

Despite its vastness, how is space now perceived by businesses?

• As a danger to avoid.

• As a resource to be utilized.

• As a mystery to be solved.

• As a place for tourism.