Space Exploration Timeline By claudia_ng Oct 4, 1957 First Earth Orbiter Period: Oct 4, 1957 to Jun 3, 2030 Space Exploration Timeline Jan 2, 1959 First Lunar Flyby Oct 4, 1959 First Images Of Far Side Of Moon Apr 12, 1961 First Manned Earth Orbiter Aug 27, 1962 First Venus Flyby Nov 28, 1964 First Mars Flyby Nov 16, 1965 First Venus Impact Jan 31, 1966 First Lunar Lander Jun 12, 1967 First Venus Atmospheric Probe Sep 15, 1968 First Lunar Flyby And Return To Earth Dec 21, 1968 First Manned Lunar Orbiter Jul 16, 1969 First Manned Lunar Landing (Apollo 11) Appolo 11 Aug 17, 1970 First Venus Lander Nov 10, 1970 First Lunar Rover May 28, 1971 First Mars Lander May 30, 1971 First Mars Orbiter Mar 3, 1972 First Jupiter Flyby Apr 5, 1973 First Saturn Flyby Nov 4, 1973 First Mercury Flyby Aug 20, 1977 First Uranus Fyby Aug 20, 1977 First Neptune Flyby Oct 18, 1989 First Asteroid Flyby Oct 15, 1997 First Saturn Orbiter Feb 7, 1999 First Comet Sample Return Jan 19, 2006 First Pluto Flyby