History of Space Exploration

By longreader2
  • "Sputnik 1" is first object sent into space

    "Sputnik 1" is first object sent into space

    The Soviet satellite "Sputnik 1" is the first object sent into space and to successfully orbit the Earth.
  • First "Earthling" is Sent Into Space

    First "Earthling" is Sent Into Space

    The first "Earthling", a Soviet dog named Laika, is successfully sent into space.
  • First US Satellite is Launched

    First US Satellite is Launched

    The first United States satellite to orbit the Earth - "Explorer1" - is launched.
  • NASA is Formed

    NASA is Formed

    NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is formed.
  • Yuri Gagarin in the first person in space.

    Yuri Gagarin in the first person in space.

    Soviet cosmonaunt Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space. (He orbits the Earth.)
  • Alan Shepard is First United States Citizen in Space

    Alan Shepard is First United States Citizen in Space

    Alan Shepard becomes the first United States citizen in space.
  • John Glenn is First United States Citizen to Orbit Earth

    John Glenn is First United States Citizen to Orbit Earth

    Astronaut John Glenn becomes the first United States citizen to orbit the Earth.
  • Neil Armstrong is first man to walk on the moon

    Neil Armstrong is first man to walk on the moon

    Apollo 11 crew member, Neil Armstrong, is the first man to walk on the moon. His fellow crew member, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin is right behind him, making him the second man to walk on the moon.
  • Voyager II is launched.

    Voyager II is launched.

    Voyager II, the first space probe to fly by the four gas planets- Jupiter, Saturn, Uanus, and Neptune- is launched.
  • First American Space Shuttle Launched

    First American Space Shuttle Launched

    The first American space shuttle is launched. This is the first "re-usable" space craft in history.
  • Challenger Space Shuttle explodes.

    Challenger Space Shuttle explodes.

    The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take- off, kiling all of its crew members including the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe.
  • Hubble Space Telescope is launched.

    Hubble Space Telescope is launched.

    The Hubble Space Telescope is launched into orbit around the Earth.
  • Pathfinder lands on Mars

    Pathfinder lands on Mars

    The un-manned American space probe "Pathfinder" lands on Mars and begins its successful exploration of the planet.
  • Human Habitiation on the International Space Station

    Human Habitiation on the International Space Station

    Human Habitation on the ISS begins.f
  • Space Shuttle Columbia Explodes

    Space Shuttle Columbia Explodes

    The space shuttle Columbia explodes upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.