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History of Space Exploration

By mmeree

  • Sputnik 1

    Sputnik 1
    The Soviet satellite "Sputnik 1" is the first object send into space and to successfully orbit the Earth.

  • Explorer 1

    Explorer 1
    The first United States satellite to orbit the Earth - Explorer 1 - is launched.

  • NASA

    NASA
    NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is formed.

  • Yuri Gagarin

    Yuri Gagarin
    Russian citizen, Yuri Gagarin, is the first human in space. He orbits the Earth.

  • Alan Shepard

    Alan Shepard
    Alan Shepard is the first United States citizen to go into space.

  • John Glenn

    John Glenn
    John Glenn is the first United States citizen to orbit the Earth.

  • Apollo 11

    Apollo 11
    Apollo 11 crew member Neil Armstrong is the first man to walk on the moon. His fellow Apollo astronaut crew member Edwin "Buzz" Alrdin is right behind him, becoming the second man to walk on the moon.

  • First space shuttle

    First space shuttle
    The first American space shuttle is launced. This marks the the use of the first "re-usable" space craft.

  • Challenger

    Challenger
    The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off.

  • International Space Station

    International Space Station
    Human habitation in the International Space Station begins.