John Glenn

First man on the moon

Oct 4, 1957

The first man made object to orbit the Earth, is launched by the U.S.S.R., and remains in orbit until January 4, 1958.

Dog Laika

Nov 3, 1957

Carrying the dog Laika for 7 days in orbit, is launched by the U.S.S.R., and remains in orbit until April 13, 1958.

James A. Van Allen

Jan 31, 1958

The first U.S. satellite in orbit, lifts off at Cape Canaveral using a modified ABMA-JPL Jupiter-C rocket. It carries a scientific experiment of James A. Van Allen, and discovers the Earth's radiation belt.

Jupiter

Mar 15, 1958

Is launched by a Jupiter-C rocket, and fails to reach orbit.

Satellite

Mar 17, 1958

Satellite is launched into orbit, and continues to transmit for 3 years.

Sputnik

May 15, 1958

Sputnik 3 is launched by the U.S.S.R.

N.A.S.A is founded

Oct 1, 1958

N.A.S.A. is founded, taking over existing National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics.

Space Probe

Oct 11, 1958

U.S. - IGY space probe, launched to a height of 70,700 miles.

First man to orbit

Jan 2, 1959

First man made satellite to orbit the moon, is launched by the U.S.S.R.

The fourth U.S.-IGY

Mar 3, 1959

Fourth U.S.-IGY space probe was launched by a Juno II rocket, and achieved an earth-moon trajectory, passing within 37,000 miles of the moon. It then fell into a solar orbit, becoming the first U.S. sun orbiter.

Luna 2 is launched

Sep 12, 1959

Luna 2 is launched, impacting on the moon on September 13 carrying a copy of the Soviet coat of arms, and becoming the first man-made object to hit the moon.

Luna 3

Oct 4, 1959

Luna 3 translunar satellite is launched, orbiting the moon and photographing 70 percent of the far side of the moon.

Tiros 1

Apr 1, 1960

Tiros 1, the first successful weather satellite, is launched by the U.S.

Discoverer XIV

Aug 18, 1960

Discoverer XIV launches the first U.S. camera-equipped Corona spy satellite.