Space, the Final Frontier

Sputnick 1

Oct 4, 1957

The Soviet satellite "Sputnick 1" is the first object sent into space and to sucessfully orbit the Earth.

Space Dog

Nov 3, 1957

The first "Earthling" a Soviet dog named Laika was successfully sent into space.

Explorer 1

Jan 31, 1958

The first United States satellite to orbit the Earth- "Explorer 1"- is launched.

NASA

Oct 1, 1958

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is formed.

First US Citizen in Space

Apr 5, 1961

Alan Shepard becomes the first United States citizen in space.

First Person in Space

Apr 12, 1961

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space. (He orbits the Earth)

US Citizen Orbit

Feb 20, 1962

Astronaut John Glenn becomes the first US citizen to orbit the Earth.

Moon Walk

Jul 20, 1969

Apollo 11 crew member Neil Armstrong is the first man to walk on the moon. His fellow crew member Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin is right behind him, making him the second man to walk on the moon.

Voyager 2

Aug 20, 1977

Voyager 2, the first space probe to fly by the four gas giant planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - is launched.

1st Space Shuttle

Apr 12, 1981

The first American space shuttle is launched. This is the first "re-usable" space craft in history.

Challenger Explosion

Jan 28, 1986

The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off, killling all of its crew members including the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe.

Hubble Telescope

Apr 25, 1990

The Hubble Space Telescope is launched into orbit around the Earth.

Pathfinder

Jul 4, 1997

The un-manned American space probe, "Pathfinder" lands on Mars and begins its sucessful exploration of the planet.

ISS

Nov 2, 2000

Human habitation in the International Space Station begins.

Columbia Explosion

Feb 1, 2003

The space shuttle Colimbia exploded upon re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.