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360
Principle of Reaction
Reaction principle was first demonstrated about 360 B.C. by a Greek named Archytas. -
Sep 14, 1232
First Rocket Made
The Chinese were the first people to use gunpowder rockets in war. It was the first time rockets were used in the history of the world. -
First Drawings of Prototype Rockets
In 1650, a Polish artillery expert, Kazimierz Siemienowicz, published a series of drawings for a staged rocket. -
The French and the Rocket
Throughout most of the 18th century, especially during the reigns of Louis XIV and Louis XV, the French led the world in the production of rockets. -
First Exposition of Rocket Mechanics
The British mathematician William Moore publishes Treatise on the Motion of Rockets. This work features the first exposition of rocket mechanics based on Newton's third law of motion. -
Sputnik Launch
Sputnik, the first satellite, was launched by russia on this date. -
John Glenn orbits the Earth
John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth when his Friendship 7 spacecraft made three trips on February 20, 1962. -
Apollo 1
On January 27, 1967, there was a flash fire during the launch. All of the cew members abord the shuttle were killed in this tragic accident. -
Apollo 11 Frist Rocket to make it to the Moon
Apollo 11 was the first rocket to make it to the moon with human passengers on it. Commander Neil Armstrong was abord this shuttle. -
Space Shuttle Program
In 1972, the U.S. space shuttle program was created by President Richard Nixon in January of 1972. The U.S. government gave &100 million to NASA to help define the future course of the U.S. space program. -
First Space Shuttle launch
The first space shuttle was launched on this day. -
First Detailed Study of an Asteroid
The U.S. Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft arrives at the asteroid Eros. -
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
The space shuttle Columbia breaks up in the atmosphere over Texas while returning to the Kennedy space center. -
First Chinese Manned Spaceflight
The Shenzhou 5 spacecraft is launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China. -
Spirit Rover Lands on Mars
After parachuting through the atmosphere and then bouncing to a stop using giant air bags, the Mars rover Spirit lands on the red planet in a location known as Gusev crater. -
First Landing on an Alien Moon
After descending by parachute for 2 hours and 28 minutes, the Huygens probe lands on Saturn's largest moon, Titan. -
First Spacecraft to Orbit Mercury
NASA's Messenger spacecraft becomes the first man made craft to orbit the closest planet to the Sun. -
First Spacecraft to Orbit an Asteroid
NASA's Dawn spacecraft becomes the first man made craft to orbit an asteroid. -
First Spacecraft to Orbit a Comet
The European Space Agency's Rosetta space probe becomes the first spacecraft to enter orbit around a comet.
