Russian Space Program

First Rocket

Mar 16, 1926

Robert Goddard succeeded in launching the world's first liquid-fueled rocket which marked a significant step towards the conwuest of space

Yuri Gagarin

Mar 9, 1934

Yuri Gagarin was born in Russia on this date.

Rockets

Apr 13, 1947

Program produced many v-2 rockets and Russian-made versians were test fired from rocket station.

Space Race

Mar 16, 1950

In the 1950's began the frantic race between the Soviets and the United States to be the first to sen a man into space.

Soviet Union

Nov 16, 1950

In the late 1950's the Soviet Union launched several Sputnik probes into space.

Rocket Weapons Systems

Dec 13, 1953

The first direct Commmunist reference to intercontinental rocket weapons systems appeared on this date

Ballistic Missile

Aug 26, 1957

On this date, the soviets officially declared that an intercontinental ballistic missile had been successfully tested.

Space Prob

Jan 1, 1958

Soviet engineers began developing plans for the manned space probe.

Vostok

Apr 1, 1958

The spherical Vostok capsule was ready by April and it would fly at an altitude of about 155 miles.

Manned Spacecraft

Sep 5, 1958

The Soviets created a department devoted to the devolopment of a manned spacecraft. The first drawings of vostok capsule appeared on this date.

Successful Launch

Dec 19, 1960

After two failed attempts at testing unmanned Mercury capsules, NASA completed a successful launch in Decemeber if 1960.

Dog on board

Mar 9, 1961

A dog named Chernushka flew in a capsule with a mennequin.

Test Flight

Mar 25, 1961

On this date the soviet program launched another test flight of a Vostok probe.

Cosmonaut

Apr 9, 1961

The Soviets chose Yuri Gagarin as the first Vostok cosmonaut.

First Cosmonaut in Space

Apr 12, 1961

On this date Yuri Gagarin became the first persosn to travel into space.

Landing

Apr 12, 1961

Yuri landed at 10:55 AM and his mission lasted 108 minutes.