1958-1980 space timeline By kluckster Jan 1, 1610 galelo is the first to use the telescope Jan 1, 1813 first rocket contraption was made Oct 4, 1957 first artificial satelite was made Nov 3, 1957 first animal to live in space Jan 31, 1958 the first us space space satelite orbit earth explorer 1 orbits earth for the first time Mar 5, 1958 c rocket is launched for orbit but it fails to reach orbt Mar 17, 1958 the us launches a new space probe and is in actio for 3 years May 15, 1958 spudnick3 is launched by the russians Oct 1, 1958 nasa is founder Sep 19, 1988 Israel launches its first satellite, the Ofeq 1 reconnaissance probe, aboard an Israeli Shavit rocket. Jan 4, 2004 The first Mars Exploration Rover, Spirit, lands on Mars. Its twin, Opportunity lands Jan. 25. Sep 20, 2004 India launches its three-stage Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle for the first time. Oct 12, 2005 : A two-taikonaut crew launches aboard the Chinese Shenzhou 6. Oct 11, 2006 Lockheed Martin completes the sale of its majority share in International Launch Services to Space Transport Inc. for $60 million Oct 4, 2007 The Space Age turns 50, five decades after the historic launch of Sputnik 1.