Space Race-JD7 By dun20 Oct 4, 1957 USSR launches Sputnik 1 Launch of Sputnik 1USSR Launches Sputnik I Nov 3, 1957 Sputnik 2 is sent into orbit carrying a dog named Laika. Sputnik 2 sends dog named Laika into space. Jan 31, 1958 The US launches Explorer 1. Explorer 1 launched. Oct 1, 1958 NASA is formed. NASA is formed. Apr 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man in space. First man in space. May 5, 1961 Alan B. Shepard becomes the first American in space. First American in space. May 25, 1961 President John F. Kennedy addresses congress and challenges the nation to go to the moon before the end of the decade. John F. Kennedy sets a goal to land men on the moon. Feb 20, 1962 John Glenn orbits the Earth 3 times. John Glenn orbits the Earth. Mar 18, 1965 Alexei Leonov performs the first spacewalk. First Spacewalk. Jul 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first men to walk on the moon. Moon Landing.