Since the dawn of the space age in the 1950s, nations around the world have raced to explore the cosmos. But only a select few nations have successfully bridged the gap between Earth and space, launching thousands of objects beyond our atmosphere.
These objects include satellites that help us communicate and navigate, probes and rovers that explore distant planets, and space stations where astronauts live and work. Launching these objects into orbit requires immense resources, brilliant engineering, and dedicated national programs.
In this gallery, we look at the top countries leading our journey into the great unknown. Curious? Click to know more.