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Russia launches the Sputnik 1
Russia launches the first satellite in space. It transmitted signals to the Earth for 22 days before blowing up. This monumental achievement helped start the Space Race and caused the US to create NASA. -
US launches Explorer 1
The US launches their first satellite into space. The Explorer 1 orbited the Earth more than 58,000 times before burning up. It was launched on the coast of Florida under the command of expert German scientist Wernher Von Brauhn. -
Humans travel to Space
Yuri Gagarin became the first person to go to Space. He was an astronaut from Russia. He was in the Vostok 1 spaceship and traveled at 17,000 miles per hour. Although Gagarin was only in space for 108 minutes, this was an huge step for Russia. To learn more about him, go to: https://www.space.com/16159-first-man-in-space.html -
First US man in Space
Just weeks after Yuri Gagarin traveled to Space, Alan Shepard flew the Freedom 7 spaceship into sub-orbit. It was in sub-orbit for 15 minutes and reached a speed of 5,180 miles per hour. -
First Spacewalk
Russian astronaut Alexei Leonov walked on Space after boarding the Voskhod Spaceship. He walked on Space for 10 minutes. It went slightly wrong after his suit expanded after he got in space due to the lack of pressure, and he had to deflate his suit to get back in the spacecraft. -
Apollo 8
Apollo 8 was one of the most famous Space Missions the US as ever done. It was the first manned spacecraft to reach the moon. The mission conducted tests that helped the US understand the moon better. The Space crew took pictures of the moon, both the far side and nearside, as well as Earth. The astronauts had 6 live television broadcasts that were extremely popular. -
Men walk on the Moon
Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon. Armstrong's quote as he stepped on the moon, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," has become famous and well known. They both spent a while on the lunar surface, gathering rocks and data for NASA. This was an amazing, proud moment for Americans and people all over the world. -
First Spacestation
Salyut 1 was the first space station and was launched by Russia. This was a giant step towards helping people live and work in space. Salyut 1 spent 175 days in space before crashing into the Pacific Ocean. The crew of the mission passed away while returning to Earth due to the oxygen being shut off. Although this mission resulted in deaths, it was still a major step towards achieving our space goals. To learn more, visit: https://www.space.com/16773-first-space-station-salyut-1.html -
ISS
The ISS, or International Space Station, is a Space station in the Earth's lower orbit. It is the biggest man-made object in space and can sometimes be seen without a telescope. The ISS is used by 15 nations, and has witnessed many great Space accomplishments. -
Humans travel to Mars
Astronauts from the US travel to Mars. Astronauts boarded the Scientifica Rover 1 as they traveled to Mars, reaching speeds of 6,500 miles per hour. As they desended onto the Red Planet, specialized landing gear kicked in and the astronauts landed safely. While on Mars, they took pictures of the planet. -
Humans walk on Mars
Following the US Scientifica Rover 1, astronauts boarded the Galaxy 1 and went to Mars, reaching speeds of 7,250 miles per hour. They then put specialized space suits on, newly designed by NASA, and stepped on Mars. While on the planet, they gathered data samples from it. The expedition also brought up materials from Earth for the new Mars station, expected to be done in 2030- in time for colonization.