The infinity of space is a curiosity to many people around the world. Just as we, long ago, moved west in covered wagons, so we now move upward and outward into the vast darkness of the universe. What began as a race between the United States and the USSR to see who's "covered wagon" could "go west" first, has now improved upon modern conveniences, and led to fueling the imagination of millions of people around the globe.
Since the first successful launch in 1942, the United States and the USSR have been in a virtual neck-and-neck race to the stars. Because of that race, many items of technology that we now take for granted are possible. A satellite, launched between the 40's and 50's (before color television), allowed Europeans to view an American baseball game...live. Similar satellites have kept people in one hemisphere informed of the news occurring in the other half of the world, as it happened. People today, with satellite dishes in their back yards and cable TV hookups, rarely think about the effort put in by those in the Space Race. If it werent' for their ambition and curiosity, Americans wouldn't have seen the Berlin wall come down until after all its pieces had been sold as souveniers. Another technological advancement possible by the race to space has been the telephone. Once, the only way to contact someone overseas was by letter. The ability to speak to someone on the other side of the country was also limited. However, because of satellites put in orbit by early space explorers, talking to someone on the other side of the world is as easy as touching a button (well, 11 buttons). Thanks to companies such as AT&T, with their own satellites in space, we can truly "reach out and touch someone."
The human imagination is a powerful thing. Outer space is like high octane fuel for the imagination. Science is always discovering something new about the universe. People take what is known to be true about space, add some things that might be true, and maybe also add some things that are totally off-the-wall, and come up with science fiction tales that appeal to any age, any gender. Television of the 60's (and before and since) was packed with sci-fi adventure shows, such as The Time Tunnel and Star Trek. There have also been numerous books and movies based on space. Often times, what is found in science fiction later becomes a common reality (remember Kirk flipping off the cover on his communicator? Looks like a cellular phone, doesn't it?). As space exploration continues, poets, artists and musicians are also inspired. Their works are a symbol of human ingenuity, and works about the universe are among the most creative.
Recently, the exploration of space has begun to lead to the inhabiting of space. Though only a small space station exists at present, a large one, or a colony on Mars or the moon, may pop up at any moment. Living and working in space has some advantages. For example, scientists use the lack of gravity in space to create vaccines for some diseases, such as cancer. Scientists can study a number of things more effectively in a 0-gravity environment.
With the development of interplanetary communication, human imagination and scientific information, all possible by a space race, life has improved for many people. Life will continue to improve as long as humans are curious about the universe.