Space Exploreation timeline

Publication of Principia

Jul 5, 1687

The English astronomer Sir Isaac Newton publishes the Philosophae Naturalis Principia Mathmatic.

First Exposition of Rocket Mechanics

Jul 5, 1813

The British mathematician William Moore publishes Treatise on the motion of rockets.

Exploration of Cosmic Space

Jul 5, 1903

Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky publishes The Exploration of Cosmic Space by means of Reaction Devices.

Goddard's Rocket Patents

Jul 5, 1914

U.S. rocket scientist Robert H. Goddard receives two landmarks patents for rockets.

First Live Animal in Space

Nov 3, 1957

Following the success of Sputnik 1, the Soviets launched Sputnik 2 on the November 3, 1957.

NASA is Born

Oct 1, 1958

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is founded, taking over the responsibilities of the existing National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics.

First Spacecraft to Achieve Solar Orbit

Jan 2, 1959

The Russian satellite Luna 1 is launched in an attempt to hit the moon.

First Weather Satellite

Apr 1, 1960

Tiros 1, the first successful weather satellite, is launched by the United States.

First Man in Space

Apr 12, 1961

Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first human to venture into space.

First American in Orbit

Feb 20, 1962

Astronaut John H. Glenn was launched into orbit aboard an Atlas D rocket, where he became the first American to orbit the Earth.

First Space Shuttle Launched

Apr 12, 1981

The first manned mission of the Space Transportation System

(STS-1) Columbia, is launched.

First Operational Space Shuttle Mission

Nov 11, 1982

The Space Shuttle Columbia begins its fifth mission, the first operational Space Shuttle mission.

Maiden Voyage of Challenger

Apr 3, 1983

America's second Space Shuttle, Challenger, embarks on its first mission into space.