History of Space Exploration

Sputnik 1

Aug 21, 1957

The first satellite to be launched. It was launched by the USSR.

Sputnik 2

Nov 3, 1957

The second satellite sent into to space and the first with an animal, a dog, Laika. Also, sent by the USSR.

Explorer 1

Jan 31, 1958

The first satellite sent into space by the USA. It had the first detection of the Van Allen Belts.

Vangaurd 1

Mar 17, 1958

The first solar powered satellite to be sent into space. Also sent by the USA.

Project SCORE

Dec 18, 1958

The first communications satellite. It was launched by the USA.

Luna 1

Jan 2, 1959

This was the first firing of a rocket into Earth's orbit and detection of solar wind. It was the first seen of the USSR in a while.

Vangaurd 2

Feb 17, 1959

The first weather satellite. Made by the USA.

Explorer 6

Aug 7, 1959

The first satellite to retrieve pictures of earth from outer space. It was launched by the USA.

Luna 3

Oct 4, 1959

It was the first satellite to get pictures of the far side of the moon. Launched by the USSR.

Sputnik 5

Aug 19, 1960

The first plants and animals to return back alive from orbit. By the USSR.

Vostok 1

Apr 12, 1961

First manned space orbit. He was the first to orbit earth. By the USSR.

Vostok 6

Jun 16, 1963

The first women in space. By the USSR.

Mariner 4

Jul 14, 1965

The first Mars fly-by. By the USA.

Luna 9

Feb 3, 1966

First sof-landing on another world. By the USSR.

Apollo

Jul 21, 1969

The first man to land on the moon. By the USA.

Salyut 1

Apr 19, 1971

Salyut 1, the first Space Station, launches but it was only occupied once.

Apollo 15

Jul 31, 1971

Apollo 15 uses the first Lunar Rover, one of the most complex vehicles built.

Apollo 17

Dec 14, 1972

NASA's final mission to the moon on Apollo 17.

Pioneer 10

Dec 3, 1973

First travel through the asteroid belt and Jupiter flyby. By the USA.

Viking Lander

Jul 20, 1976

First photos and soil samples from the surface of Mars.

Venera 13

Mar 1, 1982

First Venus soil samples and sound recording of another world.

Pioneer 11

Jun 13, 1983

First spacecraft beyond the orbit of Neptune.

Voyager 1

Feb 14, 1990

First photograph of the whole solar system.

Gailelo

Dec 7, 1995

First mission into the atmosphere of a gas giant and the first orbit of Jupiter.

Expedition 1

Nov 2, 2000

First resident crew on the International Space Station.

Shenzhou 5

Oct 15, 2003

China is the 3rd nation to achieve manned spaceflight.

Spirit Rover

Jan 4, 2004

Free ranging Mars rover.

Cassini-Huygens

Jan 14, 2005

First soft landing on Titan.