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First Satellite: Sputnik I
The Soviet Union sent a first satellite into space, Sputnik I. Citation: Archives.gov -
First Animal in Space: Laika
Sputnik 2 was launched with a dog named Laika on board, which did not survive the voyage. Citation: Archives.gov -
U.S. Space Law: NASA Act
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First Animals to survive the voyage to space: Strelka and Belka
Sputnik 5 was launched. It was carrying the dogs Strelka and Belka., who became the first animals to survive a trip into space.
Archives.gov -
First Man in Space: Yuri Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut, became the first human in space. Citation: Archives.gov -
First American in Space: Alan Shepard
Astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space. Citation: Archives.gov -
First American in Orbit: John Glenn
John Glenn, U.S. Astronaut, became the first American in orbit. Citation: Archives.gov -
First Humans on the Moon
Neil Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin, U.S. astronauts, became the first men on the moon. Citation: Archives.gov -
First Moon Rover: Lunar Rover
The moon rover was driven on the moon for the first time.
Citation: Archives.gov -
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2
Voyagers 1 and 2 were launched. They both carry a message from Earth. "The Voyager message is carried by a phonograph record, a 12-inch gold-plated copper disk containing sounds (including greetings from 55 different languages spoken on Earth) and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth."
Citation: NASA -
First Shuttle launched: Columbia
Columbia became the first Space Shuttle to be launched. Citation: Archives.gov -
Challenger Disaster
The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded seconds after liftoff. Citation: Archives.gov -
Hubble Space Telescope
The Space Shuttle Discovery deployed the Hubble Space Telescope. Citation: Archives.org -
International Space Station
The assembly of the International Space Station began. Citation: Archives.gov -
First Mars Rover: Curiosity
NASA's Curiosity rover successfully landed on Mars, carrying an array of advanced new instruments and experiments.
Citation: Archives.gov