Important Dates of Space Exploration By Elizabeth.Spaulding Oct 4, 1957 First artificial satellite: Sputnik; Russia Period: Oct 4, 1957 to Apr 12, 1981 Important Dates to Space Exploration Nov 3, 1957 First mammal in orbit: Laika, a dog; Russia Oct 7, 1959 Year the first Mercury Program began; United States Apr 12, 1961 First man in space: Yuri Gargarin; Russia May 5, 1961 First United State astronaut in space: Alan Shepard; United States Jan 23, 1962 Year the Gemini program began; United States Feb 20, 1962 First United State astronaut to orbit earth: John Glenn Jr.; United States May 25, 1963 Year the Apollo program began; United States Jun 16, 1963 First women in space: Valentina Tereshkova; Russia Nov 27, 1963 First cat in space: Félicette; France Jul 20, 1969 First man on the moon: Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11; United States May 30, 1971 First spacecraft to survey Mars from orbit: Mariner 9; United States Aug 20, 1977 Voyager 2 launched; United States Sep 5, 1977 Voyager 1 launched; United States Mar 19, 1981 First space shuttle mission: Columbia; United States
