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First Satellite in Space- USSR
The USSR launched the first earth satellite in a low elliptical orbit. It successfully orbited for three weeks before its batteries died. -
First Animal in Space- USSR
After Sputnik 1, The USSR launched Sputnik 2 and sent the first animal (a dog named Laika) to space. Pushing the US to put together its own space program. -
First US Satellite in Space
The US successfully launched its first satellite into space and fully ignited the beginning of the space race. -
Creation of NASA
In response to the USSR's successes in space exploration, the US created a national space program to race the Soviets in the exploration of space. -
First US Animal in Space
A South American Squirrel named Gordo was sent to space. Unfortunately, the parachute in the nose cone failed to deploy and sank 1,302 nautical miles below Cape Canaveral and Gordo was lost. -
First Man in the Moon-USSR
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first human to ever travel in space aboard the Vostok I. This achievement put major pressure on the US to further their space exploration and get to the moon. -
First Man to Orbit the Earth-USSR
Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin aboard the Vostok I was the first man in space, but also was the first man to orbit the Earth. He was able to do this in 89 minutes. -
First Man in Space US
Alan Shepard became the first man from the US to go to space. The US is now starting to catch up to Soviet advances. -
First Man to Orbit the Earth-US
John Glenn aboard the Friendship 7 became the first US man to orbit the earth. He orbited the earth three times in four hours and fifty-five minutes. -
JFK's Speech About Getting to the Moon
Kennedy wrote this speech to boost American support and excitement for the apollo missions. As well as to challenge America to do something momentous. -
First Man to Perform an EVA-USSR
Alexei Leonov aboard the Voskhod 2, was the first man to perform Extra-Vehicular Activity. The Soviets found it to be difficult for people to work in space. -
First Man to Perform an EVA-US
Ed White on the Gemini IV performed an EVA using a handheld maneuvering unit to help control his movement. -
Gemini Missions- Gemini 6 and 7
Gemini 7 left on December 4th, 1965, and Gemini 6 left on December 15th, 1965, Both rockets flew side by side in formation for four and a half hours. -
NASA Northrop T-38 Talon crash
Elliot See and Charles Bassett crashed in a NASA Northrop T-38 Talon. See piloted the jet, and it was ultimately decided due to weather and air traffic control, that the crash was because of pilot error. -
Apollo 7
The first television broadcast in space happened on October 14th. They held up signs to communicate with the audience and teach about space travel. -
Apollo 8
Apollo 8 was the first spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit, and reach the moon. They were the first people to see the Earth rise from the moon. -
Apollo 9
Apollo 9 was the first crewed flight of the lunar module that would travel to the moon's surface. -
Apollo 10
John Young was the first man to fly around the moon. It was also the first mission to transmit live colored tv transmissions. -
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 was the first spaceflight in history that landed humans on the moon. Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the moon.
