Space Race By jocotter Jan 1, 1957 Sputnik Launch Jan 1, 1958 U.S. launches Explorer I Jan 1, 1959 Luna 2 probe reaches the moon Jan 1, 1961 First American in space Jan 1, 1961 First human orbits Earth Jan 1, 1962 First American orbits Earth Flies past Venus Jan 1, 1963 First woman in space Jan 1, 1965 Mariner 4 probe flies past Mars Jan 1, 1969 Apollo 11 first manned moon landing Jan 1, 1970 Vanera 7 lands on Venus Jan 1, 1971 First manned space station Mars 3 drops capsule on Mars