Space race timeline

first satellite in space by USSR

Oct 4, 1957

The soviet union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, into orbit around the Earth. This marked the beginning of the space age and the space race.

First Animal in Space to Orbit Earth by USSR

Nov 3, 1957

Sputnik 2 carried Laika, a stray dog from Moscow, into orbit. Laika became the first animal to orbit the Earth, although she did not survive the mission.

First Satellite in Space by USA

Jan 31, 1958

The United States launched Explorer 1, its first successful satellite, into orbit as part of the International Geophysical Year.

Creation of NASA

Jul 29, 1958

The United States established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to oversee the nation's civilian space program and aeronautics research.

First Chimpanzee Used to Perform Tasks in Space by USA (Ham the Chimp)

Jan 31, 1961

Ham was the first chimpanzee to be trained for and flown in space, where he successfully performed tasks during the flight.

First Man in Space by USSR

Apr 12, 1961

Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space and orbit the Earth aboard Vostok 1.

First Man in Space by USA

May 5, 1961

Alan Shepard became the first American in space, making a suborbital flight aboard Freedom 7.

JFK's Speech and Commitment to Getting to the Moon

May 25, 1961

President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech to Congress, committing the United States to land a man on the Moon by the end of the decade.

First Man to Orbit Earth by USA

Feb 20, 1962

John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth, completing three orbits aboard Friendship 7.

First Man to Do an Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) by USSR

Mar 18, 1965

Alexei Leonov conducted the first EVA, where he exited his spacecraft for a brief time during the Voskhod 2 mission.

First Man to Do an EVA by USA

Jun 3, 1965

Edward White became the first American to conduct an EVA during the Gemini 4 mission.

Gemini 4

Jun 3, 1965

James McDivitt, Edward White First American EVA and testing of spacewalks.

Original Gemini 9 Crew

1966

Thomas Stafford, Eugene Cernan While the Gemini 9 mission was launched successfully, the tragedy occurred during the planning and training phases where the crew experienced significant challenges. Ultimately, Stafford and Cernan flew Gemini 9, but the mission faced technical difficulties that led to a dangerous situation, highlighting the risks of space travel.

Gemini 8

Mar 16, 1966

Neil Armstrong, David Scott First docking of two spacecraft in orbit.

Gemini 12

Nov 15, 1966

Jim Lovell, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Successful EVA and docking maneuvers.

Apollo 1 Crew

Jan 27, 1967

The Apollo 1 mission ended in tragedy when a cabin fire broke out during a pre-launch test, killing all three astronauts. This incident led to major safety overhauls in NASA’s protocols and spacecraft designs, significantly impacting future missions.

Apollo 8

Mar 3, 1967

Frank Borman, James Lovell, William Anders First crewed flight of the Lunar Module; tested the Lunar Module in Earth orbit.

Apollo 7

Oct 11, 1967

Walter M. Schirra, Donn F. Eisele, R. Walter Cunningham First crewed Apollo mission; tested the command and service module in Earth orbit.

Apollo 9

Mar 13, 1969

James McDivitt, David Scott, Russell Schweickart First crewed flight of the Lunar Module; tested the Lunar Module in Earth orbit.

Apollo 10

May 18, 1969

Thomas Stafford, John Young, Eugene Cernan Rehearsal" for the Moon landing; the Lunar Module descended to within 8.4 nautical miles of the lunar surface.

Apollo 11

Jul 16, 1969

Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins First successful Moon landing; Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first and second humans to walk on the Moon.