From Sputnik To Humans, Historic Moments In Space By fronterasdesk Oct 4, 1957 The space race begins. Soviets launch Sputnik. Oct 1, 1958 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is born. Apr 9, 1959 NASA’s first group of astronauts chosen. They became known as the Mercury Seven. Jan 31, 1961 NASA launches first primate into space, Ham the chimpanzee. Apr 12, 1961 Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. May 5, 1961 Astronaut Alan Shepard made history as the first American in space with a suborbital flight aboard his Mercury spacecraft, Freedom 7. Feb 20, 1962 John Glenn became first American to orbit the Earth. Jun 16, 1963 Soviets launch the first woman in space Valentina Tereshkova. Jun 3, 1965 On NASA’s first moon mission Ed White was the first American to walk in space. Jul 20, 1969 American Astronaut Neil Armstrong took man’s first steps on the moon. Jun 18, 1983 Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. Aug 30, 1983 Guy Bluford became the first African American in space. Mar 22, 1986 Shannon Lucid made history as having the longest stay in space (188 days).
