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Space Age Begins!
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik (later referred to as Sputnik 1), the first artificial satellite. -
Alan B. Shepard
Alan B. Shepard, Jr., became the first U.S. astronaut in space. -
Apollo 8
The United States launched Apollo 8, the first manned space mission to orbit the moon. -
Neil Armstrong
U.S. astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made the first human lunar landing. -
Salyut 1
Soviet cosmonauts boarded Salyut 1, making it the first manned orbiting space station. -
Viking 1
The United States launched the probe Viking 1. This probe, along with a second probe called Viking 2, landed on Mars in 1976 and sent back photos and data. -
Tragic accident
The U.S. space shuttle Challenger tore apart in midair, killing all seven astronauts aboard. -
Space Shuttle Columbia
The United States launched the space shuttle Columbia, the first reusable piloted spacecraft. -
Scaled Composites of Mojave, California, became the first private company to launch a person into space.
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Space Shuttle Atlantis
The space shuttle Atlantis touched down in Florida after completing the final shuttle mission.
