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The Soviet Union launches Sputnik
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USSR launches Sputnik 2 that carries a dog named Laika
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Explorer 1, the first American satellite to reach orbit, is launched. It carried scientific equipment that lead to the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belt.
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Explorer 2 is launced but it fails to reach orbit.
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The Vanguard 1 satellite is launched. It continues to function for 3 years.
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Sputnik 3 is launched.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is formed, it replaces the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA).
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Pioneer 1 is launched to a height of 70,700 miles.
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Luna 1 is launched by the USSR. It is the first man made object to orbit the Sun.
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Pioneer 4 is launched on a Earth-Moon trajectory. It passed within 37,000 miles of the Moon before falling into a solar orbit.
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The "Mercury Seven" astronauts are selected by NASA.
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Toris 1 the first sucessful weather satellite is launched
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The US launches Discoverer XIV, its first camera equipped spy satellite.
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Yuri Gagarin orbits the Earth once and becomes the first man in space.
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Alan B. Shepard becomes the first American in space.
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John Glenn orbits the Earth three times.
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L. Gordon Cooper spends 34 hours in space
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Cosmonaut Valentia Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space.
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Presidnet Lincoln is killed.
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Niel Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin are the first men to walk on the moon. Micheal Collins orbits the moon.
