Major Milestones in Space Exploration By TNH Oct 4, 1957 Sputnik 1 is launched and is the first orbital launch Oct 26, 1957 Sputnik 1 loses contact Jan 4, 1958 Sputnik 1 decays Sep 12, 1959 Luna 2 is launched Sep 14, 1959 Luna 2 crashes into the moon and is the first to do so Apr 12, 1961 Vostok 1 is launched and is the first manned orbital launch Aug 27, 1962 Mariner 2 is launched Dec 14, 1962 Mariner 2 flies by Venus and is the first to do so Jan 3, 1963 Mariner 2 loses contact Jan 31, 1966 Luna 9 is launched Feb 3, 1966 Luna 9 soft lands on the moon and is the first to do so Feb 6, 1966 Luna 9 loses contact Mar 31, 1966 Luna 10 is launched Apr 3, 1966 Luna 10 is injected into the orbit of the Moon and is the first to do so May 30, 1966 Luna 10 loses contact Jul 16, 1969 Apollo 11 is launched Jul 20, 1969 Apollo 11 lands on the moon and is the first manned landing Jul 24, 1969 Apollo 11 lands in the North Pacific Ocean Aug 17, 1970 Venera 7 is launched Dec 15, 1970 Venera 7 lands on Venus and is the first to do so