-
Sputnik 1
The Soviet satellite "Sputnik 1" is the first object send into space and to successfully orbit the Earth. -
Explorer 1
The first United States satellite to orbit the Earth - Explorer 1 - is launched. -
NASA
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is formed. -
Yuri Gagarin
Russian citizen, Yuri Gagarin, is the first human in space. He orbits the Earth. -
Alan Shepard
Alan Shepard is the first United States citizen to go into space. -
John Glenn
John Glenn is the first United States citizen to orbit the Earth. -
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
The first American space shuttle is launced. This marks the the use of the first "re-usable" space craft. -
Challenger
The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off. -
International Space Station
Human habitation in the International Space Station begins.