Space Exploration Timeline By s-pschneider Oct 4, 1957 Sputnik launched Apr 17, 1958 Pioneer 0 launched Oct 11, 1958 Pioneer 1 launched Nov 8, 1958 Pioneer 2 was launched Dec 6, 1958 Pioneer 3 was launched Mar 3, 1959 Pioneer 4 launched Mar 11, 1960 Pioneer 5 launched Mar 12, 1961 Venera Program started Dec 16, 1965 Pioneer 6 was launched Aug 17, 1966 Pioneer 7 launched Dec 13, 1967 Pioneer 8 was launched Nov 8, 1968 Pioneer 9 was launched Nov 13, 1971 Mariner entered the Martian atmosphere Mar 2, 1972 Pioneer 10 was launched Apr 5, 1973 Pioneer 11 launched Aug 20, 1975 Viking 1 launched Feb 5, 1977 Voyager 1 launched May 20, 1978 Pioneer 12 launched Aug 8, 1978 Pioneer 13 launched Apr 12, 1981 The space shuttle program began Oct 18, 1989 Galileo spacecraft was launched Apr 24, 1990 Hubble Telescope was launched into space Aug 19, 1990 Magellan spacecraft reached VEnus Period: Nov 20, 1998 to Dec 31, 2013 ISS in space The international space station was launched into space and is still out there today Feb 14, 2000 N.E.A.R. spacecraft reached Eros Jun 10, 2003 Mars Rover launched