For its first 20 years, the space age was a two-horse race between the USA and the Soviet Union. With the Apollo Moon landings and robot probes to the planets, it was clear the US was the victor. Since then, the players have moved in different directions.

Russia has stayed with conventional technology that is tried and tested, if by modern standards rather agricultural in appearance. They are masters at cheap, reliable launches and at long-endurance stays in space.

Emphasis in the USA switched to the Space Shuttle transportation system in the hope that, by being partly reusable, costs would fall. But they have not, and the Space Shuttle is at present grounded after its second tragedy.

New players

Meanwhile, new players have entered the field. Europe got off to a slow start but seems now to be in there with the leaders with the powerful Ariane 5 rocket and a series of successful science missions. And there are other players. China, India, Japan, Israel all have rocket programmes.

India is talking of a Moon mission and China is at the start of a manned space programme.

In the first programme we introduce the players and ask what motivates them to join such an expensive, exclusive club.

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	Introducing the players

Read more: China's vision for new space age