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Sputnik 1 is launched
The USSR launches the first man-made object to orbit the Earth, Sputnik 1, which orbits the planet until January 4, 1958. -
NASA is founded
NASA is founded -
Luna 1 is launched
The USSR launches the first man-made satellite to orbit the moon, Luna 1. -
Tiros 1 is launched
The US launches the first succesful weather satellite, Tiros 1. -
US Ranger 7
The US Ranger 7 makes the first close-range pictures of the moon. -
Apollo 11 lands on the moon
Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, Jr. make the first landing on the moon using Apollo 11. -
Apollo 13
Apollo 13 is launched, suffering an explosion of its oxygen tanks. The mission to the moon is aborted, and the crew is returned safely. -
Columbia
Columbia, the first manned mission of the Space Transportation System, is launched. -
Challenger
Challenger, the space shuttle, lifts off for its first space mission and has the first American space walk in nine years. -
Atlantis
Atlantis, a space shuttle deploying the spacecraft Magellan, is launched.
