Space Race

First satellite in space by USSR

Oct 4, 1957

Called the Sputnik 1, this event marked the beginning of the Space Race.

First animal in space to orbit Earth for USSR

Nov 3, 1957

The dog was a stray dog named Laika who was launched into space in Sputnik 2. This event proved a living organism could survive a launch.

First satellite in space by USA

Jan 31, 1958

Called the Explorer 1, the successful launch had enter the US into the Space Race.

Creation of NASA

Jun 29, 1958

NASA was formed as a response to the launch of Sputnik 1. NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, it is America's space program.

First chimpanzee used to perform tasks in space by USA (Ham the chimp)

Jan 31, 1961

Ham the chimpanzee flew in a Mercury capsule where he successfully completed his trained tasks in response to lights and sounds.

First man in space by USSR

Apr 12, 1961

A man named Yuri Gagarin made a single orbit around Earth while aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft.

First man in space by USA

May 5, 1961

A man named Alan Shepard, he completed a 15-minute suborbital flight while aboard the Freedom 7 capsule.

JFK's speech and commitment to getting to the moon

May 25, 1961

He believed this goal of traveling to the moon would be achievable within a decade, however, he also believed it wouldn't be easy. He liked the challenge.

First man to orbit Earth by USA

Feb 20, 1962

The mans name was John Glenn who completed his orbit around Earth in the Friendship 7 spacecraft. He circled the globe 3 times in 5 hours.

First man to do an EVA by USA

Jun 3, 1963

Ed White, who spacewalked during the Gemini 4 mission . He was outside the spacecraft for about 23 minutes.

First man to do an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) by USSR

Mar 18, 1965

His name was Alexei Leonov, he completed this task during the Voskhod 2 mission. He exited the spacecraft for a 12 minute spacewalk.