The History Of Space Exploration

Event #1

Oct 4, 1957

Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1. It was the size of a beach ball.

Event #2

Jul 29, 1958

The national aeronautics and space administration is established in the U.S. It replaces the national advisory committee on aeronautics.

Event #3

Oct 4, 1959

Luik 3 was launched as the first ever automatic space station (not controlled by humans) space station.

Event #4

Feb 20, 1962

Friendship 7- Project Mercury carries John H. Glenn, Jr. and orbits the Earth 3 times.

Event #5

Mar 23, 1965

Gemini 3 was a space ship launched by NASA.

Event #6

Mar 1, 1966

Soviet probe, Vanera 3 lands on Venus. First time any man made object has gone to extraterrestrial planet.

Event #7

Aug 14, 1966

First United States lunar orbiter begins orbiting the moon.

Event #8

Jul 20, 1969

The Apollo 11 landed on the moon. The first time anyone has been to the moon in human history.

Event #9

Jul 31, 1969

The Mariner 6 makes it's closest approach to planet Mars.

Event #10

Apr 14, 1970

Apollo 13 - on their way to the moon, James A. Lovell Jr., John Swigert, and Fred W. Haise Jr., have an oxygen tank explosion. Moon landing is not accomplished but astronauts return safely to Earth.

Event #11

May 14, 1973

Skylab is launched, first space station in human history.

Event #12

May 14, 1973

Skylab is launched, first space station

Event #13

Jul 4, 1974

Apollo 18 and Soyuz 19 doc and becomes the first International spacecraft rendezvous in space.

Event #14

Apr 4, 1983

Challenger 1 launched, sixth space shuttle mission.

Event #15

Jun 18, 1983

STS- 7- Challenger mission launches with the first American women in space - Sally K.Ride.