History of Space Exploration

Sputnik 1

Oct 4, 1957

The Soviet "Sputnik 1" is the first object into space and to successfully orbit the earth

Explorer 1

Jan 31, 1958

The firstt United States satellite to orbit the earth is launched. It was called Explorer 1

NASA

Jul 29, 1958

NASA is formed

Yuri Gagarin

Apr 12, 1961

Russian citizen, Yuri Gagarin, is the first human in space. (he orbits the Earth)

Alan Shepard

May 5, 1961

He was the first United States citizen to go into space

John Glenn

Feb 28, 1962

First United States citizen to orbit the earth

Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin

Jul 20, 1969

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

First Space Shuttle is Launced

Apr 12, 1981

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

Challenger Explodes

Jan 28, 1986

The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off.

Human Habitation

Nov 2, 2000

Human habitation in the International Space Station begins