Space Race Timeline By 97tgumina Nov 3, 1957 Sputnik 2 carried a small dog named Laika into orbit Mar 5, 1958 Explorer 2 is launced but it fails to reach orbit. Apr 2, 1959 The "Mercury Seven" astronauts are selected by NASA. Aug 18, 1960 The US launches Discoverer XIV, its first camera equipped spy satellite. Apr 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin orbits the Earth once and becomes the first man in space. Feb 20, 1962 John Glenn orbits the Earth three times. Oct 17, 1963 A third group of NASA astronauts is selected. Oct 31, 1964 Astronaut Theodore Freeman dies in a plane crash. Jul 14, 1965 Mariner 4 returns close ranger images of Mars. Apr 3, 1966 Luna 10 becomes the first satellite to orbit the Moon Oct 11, 1967 The crew of Apollo 7 begin a 10 day mission to study the new spacecraft. Jul 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin become the first men to walk on the Moon while crewmate Michael Collins orbits around the Moon alone.