Cosmonautics is the science and practice of space travel and exploration. It involves the design, development, and operation of spacecraft and the training of astronauts, known as cosmonauts in Russia. This field encompasses various disciplines, including engineering, physics, and biology, to ensure safe and effective missions beyond Earth. The history of cosmonautics began with the launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking the first artificial satellite in space. Since then, significant milestones have included human spaceflights, such as Yuri Gagarin's historic journey in 1961, and the development of space stations like Mir and the International Space Station (ISS).