In 1969 schoolboys were excitedly looking forward to the Apollo moon landing.
To the moon and beyond —
In 1969 schoolboys were excitedly looking forward to the Apollo moon landing.
Dave Gilbert/CNN
Neil Armstrong, pictured inside the lunar module, made the "giant leap for mankind."
To the moon and beyond —
Neil Armstrong, pictured inside the lunar module, made the "giant leap for mankind."
Nasa/Getty Images
Astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin walks on the lunar surface during the Apollo 11 mission.
To the moon and beyond —
Astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin walks on the lunar surface during the Apollo 11 mission.
NASA/AFP/Getty Image
Apollo's computers were feeble even compared to your smartphone. This is the Apollo 10 command module pictured in London in 2009.
To the moon and beyond —
Apollo's computers were feeble even compared to your smartphone. This is the Apollo 10 command module pictured in London in 2009.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
In the 1970s and 80s magazines were showing artists' impressions of moon bases. We still haven't built them.
To the moon and beyond —
In the 1970s and 80s magazines were showing artists' impressions of moon bases. We still haven't built them.
Dave Gilbert/CNN
We haven't been back to the moon in person but we have made huge advances in space:<br />International space agencies have worked together to build an impressive space station.
To the moon and beyond —
We haven't been back to the moon in person but we have made huge advances in space:
International space agencies have worked together to build an impressive space station.
NASA has sent a series of sophisticated rovers to explore the surface of Mars. This is a selfie of Curiosity on the Red Planet.
To the moon and beyond —
NASA has sent a series of sophisticated rovers to explore the surface of Mars. This is a selfie of Curiosity on the Red Planet.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
There are thought to be billions of planets in our galaxy. Hundreds have been discovered since the moon landings. An artist's illustration shows an exoplanet called HD 189733b -- a huge, hot gas giant that is about 63 light years from us and where it possibly rains glass.
To the moon and beyond —
There are thought to be billions of planets in our galaxy. Hundreds have been discovered since the moon landings. An artist's illustration shows an exoplanet called HD 189733b -- a huge, hot gas giant that is about 63 light years from us and where it possibly rains glass.
NASA
The European Space Agency (ESA) recently launched the Gaia space telescope on a mission to make a 3D map of the Milky Way -- and perhaps discover even more alien worlds.
To the moon and beyond —
The European Space Agency (ESA) recently launched the Gaia space telescope on a mission to make a 3D map of the Milky Way -- and perhaps discover even more alien worlds.
European Space Agency
ESA is also leading a mission to chase a comet around the sun and even land on its surface. If successful it should add to our understanding of the origins of the solar system and may shed light on whether Earth was seeded with water.
To the moon and beyond —
ESA is also leading a mission to chase a comet around the sun and even land on its surface. If successful it should add to our understanding of the origins of the solar system and may shed light on whether Earth was seeded with water.
ESA
Since Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon, huge scientific strides have been made, including decoding the whole human genome. Scientists can now identify individual genes that cause disease.
To the moon and beyond —
Since Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon, huge scientific strides have been made, including decoding the whole human genome. Scientists can now identify individual genes that cause disease.
Photo Illustration/Thinkstock
Scientists are now able to create "bionic" artificial limbs for the injured and disabled -- a prospect that was science fiction four decades ago.
To the moon and beyond —
Scientists are now able to create "bionic" artificial limbs for the injured and disabled -- a prospect that was science fiction four decades ago.
Courtesy Touch Bionics
NASA says it is focused on sending people to Mars in the 2030s and research is already under way.
To the moon and beyond —
NASA says it is focused on sending people to Mars in the 2030s and research is already under way.
Evelio Contreras/CNN
What else might be possible over the next 45 years of exploration? Researchers based in the UK have been working to develop a "Star Trek" style deflector shield to protect astronauts from deadly radiation and allow longer space trips away from the Earth.
To the moon and beyond —
What else might be possible over the next 45 years of exploration? Researchers based in the UK have been working to develop a "Star Trek" style deflector shield to protect astronauts from deadly radiation and allow longer space trips away from the Earth.
Ruth Bamford/RAL