Us astronaut bruce mccandless conducting space walk during challenger iv space shuttle mission

Space Race

  • Sputnik 1

    Sputnik 1

    The Soviet satellite "Soviet 1" is the first object sent into space and to successfully orbit the Earth
  • Laika- the space dog

    Laika- the space dog

    The first "Earthling", a Soviet dog named Laika, is successfully sent into space.
  • 1st U.S. Satellite

    1st U.S. Satellite

    The first United States satellite to orbit the Earth - "Explorer 1" - is launched.
  • Formation of NASA

    Formation of NASA

    NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is formed.
  • Yuri Gagarin

    Yuri Gagarin

    Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space- orbits the Earth.
  • Alan Shepard

    Alan Shepard

    Alan Shepard becomes the first United States citizen in space.
  • John Glenn

    John Glenn

    John Glenn becomes the first United States citizen to orbit the Earth.
  • Moon Walk

    Moon Walk

    Apollo 11 crew member Neil Armstrong is the first man to walk on the moon. His fellow crew member Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin is right behind him, making him the second man to walk on the moon.
  • Voyager II

    Voyager II

    Voyager II, the first space probe to fly by the four gas giant planets- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune- is launched.
  • 1st Shuttle Launch

    1st Shuttle Launch

    The first American space shuttle is launched. This is the first "re-usable" space craft in history.
  • Challenger Tragedy

    Challenger Tragedy

    The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off, killing all of its crew members including the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe.
  • Hubble Launch

    Hubble Launch

    The Hubble Telescope is launched into orbit around the Earth.
  • Mars Landing

    Mars Landing

    The un-manned American space probe "Pathfinder" lands on Mars and begins its successful exploration of the planet.
  • Living in Space

    Living in Space

    Human habitation in the International Space Station begins.
  • Columbia Tragedy

    Columbia Tragedy

    The space shuttle Columbia explodes upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.