9 Significant Space Events! By jrainey Oct 4, 1957 The Soviet Union launches the first artificial, Earth-orbiting Satellite called "Sputnik 1" Jan 18, 1958 The United States launches it's first Earth-orbiting sattelite called "Explorer 1" Oct 1, 1958 Congress passes National Aeronautics and Space act, then NASA forms! Apr 12, 1961 Soviet Union Astronaut sent in to Earth's orbit. Feb 20, 1962 The Mariner 2 was sent to Venus, which was the first space craft to gather information from another planet. Jul 20, 1969 The first people (Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin) stepped foot on the moon in Apollo 11 May 14, 1973 The United States launch their first experimental space station called Skylab! Apr 12, 1981 NASA's fleet of space shuttles began operating Dec 4, 1996 Launch of Mars Pathfinder