Space Exploration

Refracting Telescope

Jan 1, 1608

The first telescope built by Galileo, using lenses to make far away objects look closer and bigger.

Reflecting Telescope

Jan 1, 1670

Telescope discovered by Sir Isaac Newton that lets in more light so we are able to see even more objects farther away.

Dr. Goddards Rocket

Jan 1, 1926

First American rocket made by Robert H. Goddard using liquid fuel.

V2 Rocket

Oct 3, 1942

First human made object to travel high enough to be considered space. Made by a German named Wernner Von Braun.

Wac Corporal

May 22, 1946

First American designed rocket to reach space.

Sputnik 1

Oct 4, 1957

First artificial satellite ever put unit orbit. Made by USSR.

Sputnik 2

Nov 3, 1957

First satellite to be put into orbit with a living creature (dog) by the Soviets.

NASA

Jan 1, 1958

National Aeronautics and Space Administration was established (NASA).

Vostok 1

Apr 12, 1961

Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first human in space.

Apollo 11

Jul 16, 1969

Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.

Columbia Space Shuttle

Apr 12, 1981

First space shuttle to be launched.

Manned Maneuvering Unit

Feb 3, 1984

Bruce McCandless became the first man to take an untied space walk.

Hubble Space Telescope

Apr 24, 1990

Edwin Powell Hubble built the first major optical telescope to be placed in space.

Mars Rover

Jul 4, 1997

NASA placed an object on Mars to get closer looks at the planet.

International Space Station

Nov 20, 1998

Europe, USA, Japan, Canada, and Russia all worked together to make the space station that allows astronauts to live inside of it and do research not possible on Earth.