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USSR succesffully launches Sputnik-1 into space
The USSR launches the world's first ever Satellite into space. -
Sputnik-2 is launched succesffuly into space
USSR succesfully launches their second satelite into space, this time with a dog named Laika, she does not survive the trip. -
Sputnik-3 is launched into space
The 3rd and final "Sputnik" series sattelite is launched into space, at this time the United States has only produced a single satellite, the Explorer-1. -
Luna-1 unmanned spacecraft is launched.
The Luna-1 is the first spacecraft to ever break past Earth's orbit. -
The Luna-2 spacecraft is launched and subsequently reaches the moon.
First artificial object to reach the moon. -
Luna-3 Is launched
The Luna-3 was intended to take photographs and reached the far-side of the moon and sent back the very first images to Soviety scientists. -
The very first group of pilots begin training for a manned flight into space.
A total of 20 pilots are gathered to train for a manned flight. -
Yuri Gagarin is the first man to complete a manned space flight.
Yuri Gagarin is the first man in space, in a spacecraft called "Vostok". -
Vostok-3 and 4 actively orbiting the earth.
Two spacecrafts, both manned, were orbiting the earth at this time. -
E-6 Lunar Lander misses the Moon.
After two previous failures, including it's failure in Earth's orbit and then it's failure to even reach orbit, The Lander was off-course and misses the moon. -
Voshkod Spacecraft Orbits earth with a crew of 3.
The Voshkod spacecraft was the first to orbit earth with a manned crew of 3. -
Alexei Leonov does a spacewalk on the Voskhod-2 Mission.
Alexei Leonov became the first man to ever work outside a spacecraft in space, also called a "spacewalk". -
Luna-11 Lunar Orbiter succesfully enters the moon's orbit.
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Luna-9 first Luna project to safely and softly land on the moon.
After several previous failures, the Luna-9 spaceprobe was finally the one to softly find it's way to the moon. -
Vladimir Komarov dies with a faulty landing of the Soyuz-1 spacecraft during a test flight.
Vladimir Komarov becomes the first human to die during spaceflight, an incident he unfortunately won't remain alone in. -
USSR government officially cancels the N1-L3 program.
After much failure and delay, the N1-L3 rocket program is finally canceled, essentially a representation to the end of the space race.
