Space Exploration Timeline

By mb20400
  • Jan 1, 1543

    Heliocentric Model

    Heliocentric Model
    Nicolaus Copernicus introduced the idea that the Sun is the center of the solar system.

  • First Telescopic Observation of The Night Sky

    First Telescopic Observation of The Night Sky
    Galileo Galilei first looked at the night sky with a telescope.

  • Newton's Laws of Motion

    Newton's Laws of Motion
    Sir Isaac Newton created 3 physical laws that form the basics of motion, including travel beyond Earth.

  • Nebular Hypothesis

    Nebular Hypothesis
    Pierre Simon de Laplace introduced the idea that solar systems form from nebulae.

  • First Explanation of Rocket Mechanics

    William Moore published the first description of a rocket based on Newton's 3rd law of motion.

  • Sputnik 1

    Sputnik 1
    First artificial satellite put in orbit. The Soviet Union was involved.

  • Explorer 6

    Explorer 6
    First picture of Earth from orbit. The U.S. was involved.

  • Vostok 1

    Vostok 1
    Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space.

  • Apollo 11

    Apollo 11
    First man on the moon. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Mike Collins were involved.

  • Voyager 1

    Voyager 1
    First photo of the entire solar system. The U.S. was involved.

  • Hubble Space Telescope

    Hubble Space Telescope
    First telescope in space. The U.S. and Europe were involved.

  • Galileo

    Galileo
    First orbit of Juipter. The U.S. was involved.

  • International Space Station

    International Space Station
    First multinational space station and the largest man-made object in space. The U.S., Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada were involved.

  • MESSENGER

    MESSENGER
    First orbit of Mercury. The U.S. was involved.