Space Exploration Timeline By s-sbernardo Oct 4, 1957 Sputnik Launched Apr 17, 1958 Pioneer 0 Launched into Space Mar 12, 1961 Venera Probes Apr 12, 1961 Mercury Launch Jul 22, 1962 Mariner 1 Aug 20, 1975 Viking 1 Launch Feb 5, 1977 Voyager 1 Launch Apr 4, 1983 Challenger's first flight Oct 18, 1989 Galileo Spacecraft Apr 24, 1990 Hubble launched into space Feb 17, 1996 NEAR Mission Spacecraft Launch Mar 20, 2001 MIR Jun 10, 2003 Mars Exploration Rover launch #1 Jul 7, 2003 Mars Exploration Rover #2 Jan 3, 2004 Mars Exploration Rover #1 Land Jan 24, 2004 Mars Exploration Rover #2 Land