Space Exploration Timeline

By mb20400
  • Heliocentric Model
    Jan 1, 1543

    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.