Space Exploration Timeline - Ricky Marshall By sjrutherford Oct 4, 1957 1st man-made object to orbit earth. Spetnik, is launched by the U.S.S.R. Nov 3, 1957 1st mammal, Laika, is launched into space by U.S.S.R. Apr 12, 1961 1st man launched into space, Yuri A. Gargarin, by the U.S.S.R. Feb 20, 1962 1st U.S. Astronaut, John Glenn, launched into space Jun 16, 1963 1st woman, Valentia Tereshkova, launched into space by the U.S.S.R Apr 4, 1964 Gemini space program started Jul 21, 1969 1st man walked on the moon, Neil Armstrong, from the USA. Apollo II was the name of the spacecraft. Aug 20, 1977 Voyager 2 was launched in the USA. Sep 5, 1977 Voyager 1 is launched in the USA. Apr 12, 1981 1st space shuttle mission, Columbia, is launched in the USA.
