The human race went from steam power and horse-drawn buggies to putting men on the moon in less than a lifetime. The sheer scale of that technological advancement is mind-boggling, and nothing represents it quite like the rocket.
In essence, rockets are massive tubes of exploding fuel that we can strap people and cargo to. The details, as they say, are rocket science.
But rockets have come in many forms over the years, and thanks to SpaceX, they continue to see substantial innovation. Check out these 21 totally galactic photos of rockets over the years.
1
Japan's first privately developed rocket explodes seconds after lift off.
2
The first U.S. space station launched into Earth orbit on May 14, 1973.
3
Photo of SpaceX's Starship mere seconds after launch.
4
The Saturn V Rocket at the US Space And Rocket Center.
5
Apollo 11, getting ready to launch.
7
Nasa launching a Mars rover.
8
Atlas V rocket launch: a closeup of the liquid-fueled engine and four solid rocket motors that powered the rocket to space.
9
Apollo 11 Saturn V first-stage separation.
10
Each stage of the Black Brant 12 sounding rocket has its own set of tail fins.
11
The second stage being lowered onto the first stage of a Saturn V rocket.
12
Iconic Space Shuttle being launched.
13
Nasa’s first rocket in 1950, the two stage “Bumper 2.”
14
Russian Soyuz rocket launches with space station cargo freighter.
15
Falcon 9 stage separation and booster boostback burn.
16
Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built.
17
Starship stage separation.
18
Private Japanese rocket explodes.
19
Space X’s double boosters landing.
