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Timeline of space exploration
USSR luanches Sputnik 1. -
USSR launches Sputnik 2
Which carried a small dog named Laika into orbit -
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. -
Explorer 2
is launced but it fails to reach orbit. -
The Vanguard 1
satellite is launched. It continues to function for 3 years