Esa space exploration

History of Space Exploration

  • Laika

    Laika
    The first "Earthling", a Soviet dog named Laika, is successfully sent into space.
  • Sputnik 1

    Sputnik 1
    The Soviet satellite "Sputnik 1" is the first object sent into space and to successfully orbit the Earth.
  • Explorer 1

    Explorer 1
    The first United States satellite to orbit the Earth - "Explorer 1" - is launched.
  • NASA formed

    NASA formed
    NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is formed.
  • Yuri Gagarin

    Yuri Gagarin
    Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space. (He orbits the Earth).
  • Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin

    Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin
    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.
  • Alan Shepard

    Alan Shepard
    Alan Shepard becomes the first United States citizen in space.
  • Voyager 2

    Voyager 2
    Voyager 2, the first space probe to fly by the four gas giant planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - is launched.
  • First American space shuttle

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

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

    Hubble Space Telescope
    The Hubble Space Telescope is launched into orbit around the Earth.
  • Un-manned Pathfinder

    Un-manned Pathfinder
    The un-manned American space probe "Pathfinder" lands on Mars and begins its successful exploration of the planet.
  • John Glenn

    John Glenn
    Astronaut John Glenn becomes the first United States citizen to orbit the Earth.
  • International Space Station

    International Space Station
    Human habitation in the International Space Station begins.
  • Columbia explodes

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