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Soviet Union launched the first Earth-orbiting artificial satellite
Soviet Union launched the first Earth-orbiting artificial satellite called Sputnik I to initiate the space race. Sputnik\'s radio signals continued for 22 days until the transmitter batteries run out. -
The dog Laika was the first living creature to orbit the Earth
The dog Laika was the first living creature to orbit the Earth by the satellite Sputnik II. However, she died a few hours after launch -
NASA formed
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA was formed by the United States during the space race for more aeronautics and aerospace research. It controls all missions and launches to space. -
The first human in outer space
The space exploration’s history named Yuri Gagarin from Soviet Union as the first human in outer space and the first to orbit the Earth. -
First American in space
Alan Shepard became the first American in space on a suborbital flight lasting 15 minutes and 28 seconds. -
First photo of Earth
Astronaut William Anders successfully took a photograph of the Earth behind the moon\'s horizon during the Apollo 8 mission. -
First people to walk on the moon
Neil Amstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin set a new record when they were the first humans to walk on the moon. -
Explosion of space shuttle
The explosion of space shuttle Challenger after 73-second take-off became a major catastrophe for NASA. -
First tourist in space
An American multimillionaire, Dennis Tito, became the first space tourist with 7 days, 22 hours and 4 minutes in space. -
Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas
1 February 2003: Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas during re-entry into the Earth\'s atmosphere after 16 days in space. -
Frist privately maaned craft to reach outer space
SpaceShipOne became the first privately manned craft to reach outer space and won the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE four months later by reaching an altitude of 100 kilometers.