Space Exploration Timeline

First Telescope made.

Jan 1, 1608

Galileo made the first telescope in 1608. This made it possible to explore space better.

Telescope used for looking in space for the first time.

Jan 1, 1610

Galileo used his telescope to look in the sky for the first time. He made many discoveries.

First Reflecting telescope made

Jan 1, 1670

Sir Isaac Newton made the first reflecting telescope around 1670.

First rocket launched

Mar 16, 1926

This was the first rocket with fuel launched. It was launched by Robert H. Goddard.

First rocket launched in space

Jan 1, 1944

Around World War 2, the first human made object was put in to considered space. It was made by the Germans.

First artificial satellite in orbit

Jan 1, 1957

The USSR put the first satellite in orbit in 1957. By putting this out, it started the space race between them and the United States.

First object on moon

Sep 12, 1959

The Luna 2 was the first spacecraft to impact the moon. It was sent by the Russians.

First person in space

Apr 12, 1961

The Russians put the first person in space. This was during the space race.

First people on moon

Jul 20, 1969

The USA put the first people on the moon, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.

First US space station

May 14, 1975

The US launched there first space station.

First Space Shuttle Launched

Apr 12, 1981

The Columbia was the first Space shuttle to be Launched by NASA.

Hubble Space telescope

Jan 1, 1990

With the Hubble space telescope, we have learned a lot about our solar system and other objects. It was made by NASA.

Mars Pathfinder transmitting images

Jul 4, 1997

Through the Mars pathfinder and other tools, we have learned a lot about Mars and its surface. This was made by NASA

Stardust returns with dust from comet

Jan 15, 2006

This was the first ever dust from a comet brought back. Was made by NASA

Kepler Launched

Mar 6, 2009

NASA launched Kepler, and its intent is to look for planets outside our solar system.