Documentary: Space Travel Transportation 2014

To be spacefaring is to be capable of and active in the art of space travel or space transport, the operation of spacecraft or spaceplanes. It involves a knowledge of a variety of topics and development of specialised skills including (but not limited to): aeronautics; astronautics; programs to train astronauts; space weather and forecasting; ship-handling and small craft handling; operation of various equipment; spacecraft design and construction; atmospheric takeoff and reentry; orbital mechanics (aka astrodynamics); communications; engines and rockets; execution of evolutions such as towing, micro-gravity construction, and space docking; cargo handling equipment, dangerous cargoes and cargo storage; spacewalking; dealing with emergencies; survival at space and first aid; fire fighting; life support. The degree of knowledge needed within these areas is dependent upon the nature of the work and the type of vessel employed. "Spacefaring" is analogous to seafaring.

Presently there has never been a crewed mission outside the Earth-Moon system (so far as the human inhabitants of planet earth are concerned). However, the United States, Russia, China, and European Space Agency countries have plans in various stages to travel to Mars. (See Manned mission to Mars.)

Spacefaring entities are commonly nations. Spacefaring nations are those capable of independently building and launching craft into space. Although, a growing number of private entities are achieving space travel, largely suborbital