<human>:  What is the history of the development of space exploration?
<bot>: The history of space exploration can be traced back to the early days of mankind when people first began speculating about the heavens. Initially, space exploration was limited to observations made through telescopes and other crude instruments, but over the years, advances in technology allowed for more sophisticated and ambitious missions. During the early 20th century, large rockets were developed, culminating in the V2 rocket built by the Germans during World War II. This laid the foundation for the subsequent development of space travel and exploration as we know it today. During the latter part of the 20th century, the United States and the former Soviet Union engaged in a race to land on the Moon and explore other parts of our solar system. This race saw a number of firsts, including the first human space flights, the first spacewalk, and the first missions to the Moon, Mars, and other satellites of the solar system. Space exploration has continued to evolve over the decades, with the 21st century seeing an increased focus on international cooperation, with a number of space agencies and private companies developing advanced technology and setting ambitious goals to further explore the solar system.