-
USSR launches Sputnik 1.
USSR launches Sputnik 1.
This event is important to space exploration because
the launch of Sputnik 1 ushered in new political,
military, technological, and scientific developments. -
Explorer 1, the first American satellite to reach orbit, is launched.
Explorer 1, the first American satellite to reach orbit, is launched.
This event is important to space exploration because
it was the first satellite to travel into space. That
staellite marked the moment whent the United States
got its confidence back after many unsuccessful
launches. -
USSR launches Sputnik 3.
USSR launches Sputnik 3.
This event is important to space exploration because
Sputnik 3 is a major contribuation by Soviet scientists
to world science. -
Luna 1 is launched by the USSR. It is the first man-made object to orbit the sun.
Luna 1 is launched by the USSR. It is the first man-madeobject to orbit the sun.
This event is important to space exploration because
it was the first spacecraft to reach the moon. Not only
reaching the moon but it had also orbited around the sun,
and between the orbits of Earth and Mars. -
Tiros 1, the first successfulweather satellite, is launched.
Tiros 1, the first successfulweather satellite, is launched.
This event is important to space exploration because
Trios 1 was NASA's first experimental step to determine
if satellites could be useful in the study of Earth. -
Alan B. Shepard becomes the first American in space.
Alan B. Shepard becomes the first American in space.
This event is important to space exploration because
ten years later Shepard would leave Earth's
atmosphere again to become the fifth man to walk on
the moon. -
John Glenn orbits the Earththree times.
John Glenn orbits the Earththree times.
This event is important to space exploration because
it was one of the most important flights in American
history. John Glenn became a national hero and a
symbol of American ambition. -
President Kennedy is assassinated.
President Kennedy is assassinated.
This event is important to space exploration because
if assassination attempt had not succeeded, arguably
neither the Vietnam War nor the Great Society expansion
of government would have afflicted the United States as
they did. -
Ranger 7 transmits the first close range images of the moon.
Ranger 7 transmits the first close range images of the moon.
This event is important to space exploration because
the images were used for scientific study, as well as
selecting landing sites for Apollo Moon missions. -
Venus 3 is launched. It becomes the first man made object to impact Venus on March 1, 1966.
Venus 3 is launched. It becomes the first man made object to impact Venus on March 1, 1966.
This event is important to space exploration because
at first Venus witnessed many failed attempts. However
over 20 have been successful.