Spacecraft By tbyrer Oct 4, 1957 The USSR launches Sputnik I NASA Jan 31, 1958 United States launches Eplorer I Explorer I Nov 9, 1967 First test flight of the Saturn V rocket, which would carry dozens of spacecraft into space in the years to come Saturn V May 14, 1973 United States launches its first experimental space station, the Skylab First Space Station Aug 20, 1975 Launch of Viking 1, the first orbiter and lander sent to Mars. Viking 2 would launch a few weeks later. Both landed safely on Mars and for six years sent back the first set of images and data from the Martian surface. http://news.cnet.com/Timeline-Key-milestones-in-space-exploration/2009-11397_3-6210843.html Sep 5, 1977 Launch of Voyager 1 Voyager I Apr 12, 1981 Aboard the space shuttle Columbia, Robert L. Crippen and John W. Young make the first mission in NASA's space shuttle program. Columbia Launchhttp://news.cnet.com/Timeline-Key-milestones-in-space-exploration/2009-11397_3-6210843.html Jan 28, 1986 First major catastrophe for NASA, when space shuttle Challenger (mission STS-51L) explodes 73 seconds after takeoff with seven crewmembers aboard Challenger Explosion Nov 20, 1998 First piece of the International Space Station is launched. International Space Station Aug 4, 2007 Phoenix lander launches on its way to explore the northern pole of Mars. Phoenix Landers
