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The Soviet satellite "Sputnik 1" is the first object sent into space and to successfully orbit the Earth
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The first United Space satellite to orbit the Earth-Explorer 1-is launched
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NASA (National Aeronautices and Space Administration) is formed
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Russian citizen, Yuri Gagarin, is the first human in space. (he orbits the Earth)
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Alan Shepard is the first United citizen to go into space
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John Glenn is the first United States citizen to orbit the Earth
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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.
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The first American space shuttle is launched. This marks the use of the first "re-usable" space craft.
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The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off
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Human habitaation in the International Space Station begins