Space Exploration

Galileo

1609

In 1609, Galileo invented the first telescope. This was a very rough telescope and couldn't do things as modern telescopes.

Galileo spots the Moon

1610

With his telescope, Galileo spotted the moon. This was a very remarkable event in space exploration and led to new technologies.

Robert Goddard launches first Liquid fueled rocket

1926

In 1926 Robert H. Goddard launched the first rocket using liquid fuel. Although it only reached 41 feet and lasted for 2 seconds, this led to new discoveries.

USSR Launches First Rocket

Aug 17, 1933

On this day, Russia had launched its first successful rocket. Other were launched before, but failed.

Laika

Nov 3, 1957

Laika the dog was sent with Sputnik up into space you the Russians. Laika was the first animal to ever be in space. Unfortunately, she died about a few hours after takeoff.

Satellite Launch

Jan 31, 1958

Explorer 1, a satellite, was launched into space today. It was the first of its kind to be launched into space.

Luna 1

Jan 2, 1959

This was a satellite launched into space by the Russians. It orbited the moon.

Vostok 1

Apr 12, 1961

This was the first space shuttle meant to carry someone into space. The Russians sent cosmonaut Yuri A. Gargarin into space. He was the first man to ever experience the zero gravity of space.

Apollo 11

Jul 16, 1969

This mission, by the U.S.A, was designed to send a man onto the surface of the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first people to ever step on the moon.

Salyut 1

Apr 19, 1971

The first space station in space, Salyut 1 was designed and launched by the Russians. Unfortunately, Salyut 1 didn't last as long as expected, plunging into the Pacific Ocean later that year.

Columbia

Apr 12, 1981

This spacecraft, Columbia, was the first reusable spacecraft. It was launched and designed by the U.S. It returned 2 days later.

Pioneer 10

Jun 13, 1983

Pioneer 10 was launched by the U.S in 1972. It was the first probe to ever pass by Neptune.

Challenger Disaster

Jan 28, 1986

The Challenger was a space shuttle launched by NASA. About a minute after liftoff, an O-ring failed, causing gases to mix in the external fuel tank, and then to explode. The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all 7 astronauts.

Voyager 1

Feb 14, 1990

Designed and launched by the U.S, voyager 1 was designed to study the outer solar system. It also took the first picture of the entire solar system.

Columbia Disaster

Aug 26, 2003

The Columbia was a reusable space shuttle designed by the U.S. On re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, it exploded due to a piece of insulation foam slamming up against the left wing of the space shuttle.