Spacecraft

The USSR launches Sputnik I

Oct 4, 1957

NASA

United States launches Eplorer I

Jan 31, 1958

Explorer I

First test flight of the Saturn V rocket, which would carry dozens of spacecraft into space in the years to come

Nov 9, 1967

Saturn V

United States launches its first experimental space station, the Skylab

May 14, 1973

First Space Station

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.

Aug 20, 1975

http://news.cnet.com/Timeline-Key-milestones-in-space-exploration/2009-11397_3-6210843.html

Launch of Voyager 1

Sep 5, 1977

Voyager I

Aboard the space shuttle Columbia, Robert L. Crippen and John W. Young make the first mission in NASA's space shuttle program.

Apr 12, 1981

Columbia Launchhttp://news.cnet.com/Timeline-Key-milestones-in-space-exploration/2009-11397_3-6210843.html

First major catastrophe for NASA, when space shuttle Challenger (mission STS-51L) explodes 73 seconds after takeoff with seven crewmembers aboard

Jan 28, 1986

Challenger Explosion

First piece of the International Space Station is launched.

Nov 20, 1998

International Space Station

Phoenix lander launches on its way to explore the northern pole of Mars.

Aug 4, 2007

Phoenix Landers