Space 06

History of Space Exploration Timeline

  • 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 Space satellite to orbit the Earth-Explorer 1-is launched
  • NASA Formation

    NASA Formation

    NASA (National Aeronautices and Space Administration) is formed
  • First Human in Space

    First Human in Space

    Russian citizen, Yuri Gagarin, is the first human in space. (he orbits the Earth)
  • Alan Shepard

    Alan Shepard

    Alan Shepard is the first United citizen to go into space
  • John Glenn

    John Glenn

    John Glenn is the first United States citizen to orbit the Earth
  • Moon Landing

    Moon Landing

    Apollo 11 crew meber Neil Armstong is the first man to walk on the moon. His fellow Apollo astronaut crew member Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin is right behind him, becoming the second man to walk on the moon.
  • First Space Shuttle

    First Space Shuttle

    The first American space shuttle is launched. This marks the use of the first "re-usable" space craft.
  • Challenger Disaster

    Challenger Disaster

    The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off
  • ISS Habitation

    ISS Habitation

    Human habitaation in the International Space Station begins