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USSR launch first satellite into space, initiating the space race. (Beating the U.S to the punch).
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USSR launched their second satellite into space, carrying the first dog in orbit, Laika.
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First American satellite in orbit, discovered the Van Allen radiation belt.
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2nd Satellite launch by Americans, this attempt resulted in failure.
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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration formed.
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First man made satellite to orbit sun - USSR.
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First 7 Astronauts selected by NASA.
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USSR launch satellite Luna 2 which is the first satellite to impact the moon.
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Luna 3 satellite launched by USSR, sent to orbit to record data of moons surface. Retrieved approximately 70% of the moon's surface.
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The first weather satellite launched.
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JFK elected 35th President of the U.S
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First man (cosmonaut) in space. He manned a 108 minute flight aboard Vostok 1.
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First American astronaut in space.
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John F. Kennedy issues promise that America will land the first man on the moon before the end of the decade (1970).
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2nd manned space project announced by the U.S
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John F. Kennedy gives re-assuring speech at Rice University, affirming the importance of the Moon program.
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NASA selects the next 6 astronaut candidates for space missions.
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Becomes first woman (cosmonaut) in space.
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The next batch of astronauts are selected for upcoming missions (U.S).
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U.S in mourning over loss of charismatic and powerful leader, JFK. Causing some set-backs for getting man on the moon.
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Transmits first, rare close images of the moon's surface.
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Nikita Khrushchev is replaced as Premier by Leonid Brezhnev
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Astronaut F. Theodore dies in plane crash.
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Performs America's first spacewalk with the Gemini project.
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A huge blow to the soviet space program, Chief Designer Sergei Korolev contributed to a huge portion of developments of Russian spacecraft and the management of resources within the facility.
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First spacecraft to 'softland' on the moon.
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Astronauts B. Chalres and S. Elliott die in plane crash due to bad weather.
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First satellite to orbit the moon.
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Last Gemini project issued by the U.S, crew: James Lowell & Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin.
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Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffree are killed during a training mission when their cockpit caught on fire.
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Cosmonaut K. Vladimir dies upon re-entry to Earth abroad Soyuz-1 when a parachute failure fails to deply. This led fear by design chief Vasily Mishin.
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Astronaut G. Edward Killed in an automobile accident.
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Astronaut W. Clifton killed in a plane crash.
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The first man and cosmonaut in space, died due to a plane crash. A huge blow to morale and delayed any further missions to the moon.
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Frank Borman, James Lowell & William Anders embark on the world's first manned journey around the moon. (Apollo 8).
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Witnessed by thousands, the launch of Apollo 11 aired across the nation and world, roaring partriotic support for the capabilities of man-kind and the U.S. Lyndon B. Johnson was the first PM to bear wtiness to the launch of a rocket.
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July 20, 1969 at 20:18 UTC, Apollo 11 touched down on the moon's surface. Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon's surface and said his historical quote "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."