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sputnik
- Sputnik 1, the first man-made object to orbit the Earth, is launched by the U.S.S.R., and remains in orbit until January 4, 1958.
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sputnik
Sputnik 2, carrying the dog Laika for 7 days in orbit, is launched by the U.S.S.R., and remains in orbit until April 13, 1958. -
explorer
- Explorer 1, the first U.S. satellite in orbit, lifts off at Cape Canaveral using a modified ABMA-JPL Jupiter-C rocket. It carries a scientific experiment of James A. Van Allen, and discovers the Earth's radiation belt.
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explorer
Explorer 2 is launched by a Jupiter-C rocket, and fails to reach orbit. -
sputnik
- Sputnik 3 is launched by the U.S.S.R.
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vanguard
- Vanguard 1 satellite is launched into orbit, and continues to transmit for 3 years.
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N.A.S.A.
- N.A.S.A. is founded, taking over existing National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics.
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pioneer
- Pioneer 1, U.S. - IGY space probe, launched to a height of 70,700 miles.
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tansportation system
April 12, 1981 - The first manned mission of the Spa Columbia , is launched. -
european space agency
June 19, 1981 - The European Space Agency launches its third Ariane rocket. -
ESA
December 20, 1981 - The ESA launches a fourth Ariane rocket. -
first launch
January 9, 2001 - the first launch of the "true" millenium is Chinese, with the second test flight of the manned Shenshou spaceship, reported to be carrying a monkey, a dog, and a rabbit. -
space shuttle
February 7, 2001 - Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off for the ISS, carrying the U.S.'s Destiny laboratory module. In three space walks the astronauts install Destiny, a grappler for the station's robotic arm, and radio antennae. -
soace shuttle dicovery
Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on a 14-day ISS construction mission. In two spacewalks the astronauts install new equipment including the Leonardo logistics module, built by the Italian Space Agency to move racks of experimental equipment to the ISS, docking to the station as the equipment is used & transferred, then carrying equipment back in the shuttle after use. -
years after
fifteen years after its first launch, and after nearly 10 years of continuous occupation by -
probe
the 2001 Mars Odyssey probe is launched on a trajectory for Mars orbit to be achieved in October, with a mission similar to that of the Mars Climate Orbiter launched December 1998. Mars Odyssey successfully enters Mars orbit on October 24th.