Timeline: Space Race

Oct 4, 1957

sputnik 1 launch

Sputnik 1 was launched on october 4 1957 and was the first satellite launched. Sputnik could detect meteorites and temperature change. This was the first satellite ever launched.'

Jan 3, 1958

first US satellite

Explorer 1 was the first US satellite suscessfuly launched. It was launched for us to study space.

Apr 14, 1958

dog in space

On april 14 1958 Russia sent a dog called Laika into space to study effects on lifeforms in weightlessness. Laika was launched into orbit but sadly died while entering the atmosphere. She showed Russians the effects of weightlessness.

Oct 1, 1958

NASA founded

After Sputnik 1 was launched the US was jealous so they founded NASA. NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Agency. NASA was founded to help us learn more about astronomical bodies and phenomenons.

May 28, 1959

monkeys in space

On may 28 1959 NASA decided to send two monkeys into space. The monkeys were called Able and Baker and they were sent to study the effects of weightlessness on lifeforms. The monkeys showed the US that space was safe for life. These were the 23rd and 24th animals in space

Apr 12, 1961

First man to orbit earth

On april 12 1961 a Russian Cosmonaut named Yuri Gagarin was launched into space. He was the first human in space and he launched Russia ahead in the space race.

May 5, 1961

first US man in space

Alan Shepard was the first american in space. He was in space for 15 minutes and he helped show the US how to launch a man in space.

Feb 20, 1962

first US man to orbit earth

John Glenn was the first american to orbit the earth but the 3rd person in space. He was in orbit for three days and he showed that we could go to space.

Jun 16, 1963

first woman in space

Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space. Valentina orbited earth 48 times in space. She showed that woman can be important.

Mar 18, 1965

first space walk

Alexey Leonav was the first person to perform a space walk. He was in space for 12 minutes and 9 seconds. His rocket had a malfunction and he crashed landed in the mountains.

Jun 3, 1965

first US space walk

Edward White was the first american to preform a space walk. He was over Hawaii and he was in space for 23 minutes.

Dec 4, 1965

Gemini 7

Gemini 7 was in space for 13 days. During those days Gemini 7 and Gemini 6 met up and connected their shuttles. This showed the US how to connect shuttles.

Jul 21, 1969

1st man on moon

Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon. Before he stepped off the lunar landing craft he said the famous words "that`s one small step for a man one giant leap for mankind."