Exploration Mission timeline.

Oct 4, 1957

Sputnik

First satellite to orbit Earth.
Nov 3, 1957

Sputnik 2

Laika, first animal (dog) in orbit.
Feb 1, 1958

Explorer

First American orbiter, discovered the Van Allen radiation belt.
Mar 17, 1958

Vanguard

Oldest aircraft still in earth's orbit.
Sep 12, 1959

Luna 2

First lunar impact.
Apr 19, 1971

Salyut 1

First Space Station
Aug 8, 2001

Genesis

First solar wind sample return.
May 9, 2003

Hayabusa

First sample return from asteroid.
Dec 3, 2014

Hayabusa2 / MASCOT

Asteroid lander and sample return, first asteroid rover.
Dec 7, 2018

Chang'e 4

Lunar lander and rover, the first landing on the lunar far side.
Last one launched up until now.

Sputnik