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USSR launch sputnick
Space race timeline1st artifical satellite put in space by the USSR. The U.S. feared the USSR had the technology to deliver a nuclear weapon via the R-7 rocket. -
Sputnick 2 was launched by the USSR
Space race timelineThe Sputnick 2 was launched and carried a small dog named Laika into orbit. -
U.S. launched Explorer 1
Space race timelineThe Explorer 1 carried science equipment that lead to the discovery of the Van Allen radiation belt. -
Explorer 2 was launched into orbit by the U.S.
Space race timeline Explorer 2 was launched but failed to reach orbit. -
The Vanguard 1 satellite was launched by the U.S.
The space raceThe vanguard 1 satellite was launched and continued to run for 3 years. -
Sputnik 3 was launched by the USSR
Space race timelinesThe USSR launched Sputnick 3 into orbit. -
The U.S. forms a National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Space race timelinesThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is formed, it replaces the National Advisory comitte on Aeronautics (NACA). -
The U.S. launches Pioneer 1
Space race timelineThe U.S. launches the Pioneer 1 to a height of 70,700 miles. -
The USSR launches Luna 1
Space race timelineThe USSR launches Luna 1. It was the first man made object to orbit the sun. -
The U.S. launches Pioneer 4
Space race timelineThe U.S. launched Pioneer 4 on a Earth-Moon trajectory. It passed within 37,000 miles of the Moon before falling into a solar orbit. -
The U.S. launches the Mercury Seven
Space race timelineThe "Mercury Seven" astronauts are selected by NASA.