Space Race Timeline

First satellite in space by USSR

Oct 4, 1957

The first satellite launched into space by the USSR was Sputnik 1, which was put into orbit on October 4, 1957

First animal in space to orbit Earth for USSR

Nov 3, 1957

The first animal to orbit Earth for the USSR was a dog named Laika, launched aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft on November 3, 1957.

First satellite in space by USA

Jan 31, 1958

The first U.S. satellite was Explorer 1, launched on January 31, 1958.

Creation of NASA

Oct 1, 1958

NASA was created on October 1, 1958, when it officially began operations.

First chimpanzee used to perform tasks in space by USA

Jan 31, 1961

The USA's first chimpanzee used to perform tasks in space was Ham, who flew on a suborbital flight on January 31, 1961

First man in space by USSR

Feb 12, 1961

The USSR sent the first man into space, Yuri Gagarin, on April 12, 1961.

First man in space by USA

Mar 5, 1961

The first American man in space was Alan Shepard on May 5, 1961.

First man to orbit Earth by USA

Feb 20, 1962

The first American to orbit the Earth was John Glenn on February 20, 1962

JFK's speech and commitment to getting to the moon

Sep 12, 1962

His famous September 12, 1962, speech at Rice University famously articulated this commitment, stating, "We choose to go to the moon... because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills."

First man to do an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) by USSR

Mar 18, 1965

Alexei Leonov, the first man to walk in space. The first Soviet man to perform an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA), or spacewalk, was Alexei Leonov on March 18, 1965.

The First man to do an EVA by USA

May 3, 1965

The first man to perform an EVA (Extravehicular Activity) for the USA was astronaut Ed White on June 3, 1965.