Queen Elizabeth II's reign spanned all of spaceflight, predating both Sputnik and Explorer 1.
As we join the planet in marking her passing, we are moved by the curiosity Her Royal Highness showed our explorers over the years.
ALT This black-and-white image depicts a 1969 event at Buckingham Palace where (left to right) Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong, Queen Elizabeth II, and Buzz Aldrin met as part of the Apollo 11 Goodwill Tour. The NASA astronauts wear dark suits and slim ties. The queen appears in a light-colored sleeveless dress, pearls, and a brooch.