-
The Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space.
-
The Soviet spacecraft, Sputnik 2 was launched with a dog named Laika on board. Laika did not survive.
-
Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the US when it was sent into orbit.
-
The Soviet craft Sputnik 5 was launched, carrying the dogs Strelka and Belka. They became the first living beings to survive a trip into space.
-
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space.
-
Astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space.
-
President Kennedy challenged the country to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
-
John Glenn became the first American in orbit
-
Valentina Nikolayeva Tereshkova became the first woman in space.
-
Ed White became first American to walk in space
-
The Russian spacecraft Luna 9 became the first spacecraft to land on the moon.
-
Surveyor 1 became the first American spacecraft to land on the moon.
-
Three astronauts killed in accidental fire in a command module.
Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee. -
Apollo 8 is launched. These crew members will become the first men to orbit the moon
-
Neil Armstrong and "Buzz" Aldrin became the first men on the moon.
