Space travel refers to the act of traveling beyond Earth's atmosphere, typically using spacecraft. This journey can involve missions to low Earth orbit, such as those conducted by the International Space Station, or deeper explorations to other celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars. Space travel requires advanced technology and careful planning to ensure the safety of astronauts and the success of the mission. The history of space travel began with the launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union in 1957, marking the first artificial satellite in orbit. Since then, various countries and private companies have developed spacecraft to explore space, conduct scientific research, and even plan for future human settlements on other planets.