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Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the first manmade object in space.
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The United States and Soviet Union compete to dominate outer space. It ended when the U.S. landed on the moon
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is founded.
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Yuri Gargarin of the Soviet Union became the first human to venture into space. The Vostok 1 spacecraft completely orbited the Earth in 108 minutes.
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Astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space, but he did not completely orbit the Earth. The flight lasted 15 minutes. Watch the Launch
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In a speech, President Kennedy challenges the country to land "a man on the moon and return him safeyl to Earth" by the end of the decade. See the speech!
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Astronaut John Gleen successfully orbits the Earth on the Mercury 6 mission. His ship made 3 orbits and lasted almost 5 hours. Watch the Launch
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A Russian woman, Valentina Tereshkova, became the first woman in space.
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President Kennedy shot and killed during a parade in Dallas.
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The Soviet Union lands a space probe Luna 9 on the Moon. It transmitted pictures of the surface back to Earth, and proved that the surface of the Moon was solid enough to stand on.
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Survayor 1 became the first American probe to land on the Moon. Transmitted back over 11,000 photographs
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During a test on the lauch pad, a spark caused a fire and the 3 man crew were trapped in the spacecraft. Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee died in the accident.
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Soviet Union probe Zond 5 becomes the first probe to orbit the moon and return.
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Apollo 8 Astronauts orbit the Moon and return to Earth. Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders. Oribted the moon 10 times and returned to Earth. Mission lasted 6 days. Watch an animation of the Earth rising as they Orbit the Moon
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Niel Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission. Footage from the Moon
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The Soviet Union builds and launches the first space station, Salyut 1. It remained in space until May 1973.
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The Apollo 16 astronauts explored the Moon further using a rover! Watch footage from Apollo 16
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Apollo 17 leaves the Moon. It was the last time peeple visisted. During the Apollo missions, a total of 12 astronauts walked on the Moon.
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The United States launches Skylab, the first American space station.
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Voyager 1 launched to explore the outer solar system. It has become the only man made object to leave the solar system.
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he United States launches the first space shuttle. The "shuttle" part is referred to as the Orbiter, becuase its main function is to orbit the Earth. NASA would build 5 shuttles in all, and resuse them. Watch the First LaunchT
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Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed during take-off, resulting in the loss of the astronauts on board.
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Mars Pathfinder became the first robotic mission to Mars. The rover was named Sojourner. It was small enough to sit on your desk. Watch an Animation of the Rover landing on Mars
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Take a Tour of the Space Station The International Space Station, or ISS, launches. Russia and the United States built and operate it together. Other countries also send their astronauts and supply parts.
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Twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity start exploring Mars. They were only expected to last for 3 months, but they stayed operational for over 10 years! Learn more about the Mission
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The New Horizons space probe takes off for Pluto. It got there in July 2015. It took pictures and measurements of Pluto and its Moons.
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Space Shuttle Atlantis makes the last flight. See the last launch of a different shuttle: the Endevour
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See How it Got to Mars and Landed The Curiosity Rover lands on Mars. It is the size of a car and has lasers and drills!.Oh, and it can take selfies
