The first human in space was Yuri Gagarin. The cosmonaut lived a shattering experience, seeing the planet from above, very high above. The idea of the human who flies gave way to the human who floats. Once again, the impossible became possible.
CIA estimates begin from the year 1964 onward. It is estimated that the Soviets were spending 5–10 billion dollars annually on their space program, far less than NASA, yet with almost the same results. The economies of the two countries supported space exploration to a significant degree, a period that continues today with spectacular technological developments. In the case of humanity and space, the cards were played so that limits would never again be placed on what a state–private sector organization can achieve.
A false impression has prevailed that the USSR was effective as a monolithic state entity, but this wasn't the case. The USSR repeatedly required the contribution of companies to achieve its goals, most notably the PepsiCo–USSR agreements. An unprecedented episode of economic diplomacy, followed by many others.
Space agencies are moving toward the future of technology, drawing fascinating insights from their missions. Having surpassed scientific expectations, no one cares anymore about how much money these missions have cost. Therein lies success: in making sufficient use of a technology discovered 50 years ago that continues to deliver data. Consequently, today’s technology will also produce productive missions for many years, even after it has been surpassed.
The first mission will always remain in our minds, along with the magic of fulfilling something that had once been unreachable forever. It remains lit like a flame of hope and humanity.
Human professional engagement with space gives rise to certain shifts in how we perceive the world around us. Ideas and passion are the driving engines for achieving goals. Logic and imitation follow second, not dominant, but still important elements of human intellect.
Now, the blocs have collapsed, ideologies have vanished and the only fanaticism left is that of terrorists, the world has eliminated its self-destructive tendency to constantly reach artificial dead ends. By exploring space, we are constructing the next forms of the economy, as technology allows. From here on, history’s task is for the economy to operate on a broader scale for the prosperity of all. All always implies those individuals who strive honestly for better living conditions. Wherever you are, prosperity contributes something useful; if not necessary, then at the very least useful.
Humanity has gone beyond its expectations; it has surpassed its imagined walls. Let's now work on earthly problems with what we have gained from journeys into space and beyond.