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Sputnik 1, the first man-made object to orbit the Earth, is launched by the U.S.S.R., and remains in orbit until January 4, 1958
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Sputnik 2, carrying the dog Laika for 7 days in orbit, is launched by the U.S.S.R., and remains in orbit until April 13, 1958.
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Sputnik 3 is launched by the U.S.S.R.
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N.A.S.A. is founded, taking over existing National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics.
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Tiros 1, the first successful weather satellite, is launched by the U.S
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Vostok 1 is launched by the U.S.S.R., carrying Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gargarin, the first man in space. He orbits the Earth once.
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Mercury Friendship 7 lifts off with John H. Glenn, Jr., the first American in orbit, and orbits the Earth three times.
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U.S. Ranger 7 relays the first close-range photographs of the Moon.
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Commander Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon. He said the historic words, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
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Venera 13 lands on Venus, and provides the first Venusian soil analysis.