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Galileo
In 1609, Galileo invented the first telescope. This was a very rough telescope and couldn't do things as modern telescopes. -
Galileo spots the Moon
With his telescope, Galileo spotted the moon. This was a very remarkable event in space exploration and led to new technologies. -
Robert Goddard launches first Liquid fueled rocket
In 1926 Robert H. Goddard launched the first rocket using liquid fuel. Although it only reached 41 feet and lasted for 2 seconds, this led to new discoveries. -
USSR Launches First Rocket
On this day, Russia had launched its first successful rocket. Other were launched before, but failed. -
Laika
Laika the dog was sent with Sputnik up into space you the Russians. Laika was the first animal to ever be in space. Unfortunately, she died about a few hours after takeoff. -
Satellite Launch
Explorer 1, a satellite, was launched into space today. It was the first of its kind to be launched into space. -
Luna 1
This was a satellite launched into space by the Russians. It orbited the moon. -
Vostok 1
This was the first space shuttle meant to carry someone into space. The Russians sent cosmonaut Yuri A. Gargarin into space. He was the first man to ever experience the zero gravity of space. -
Apollo 11
This mission, by the U.S.A, was designed to send a man onto the surface of the moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first people to ever step on the moon. -
Salyut 1
The first space station in space, Salyut 1 was designed and launched by the Russians. Unfortunately, Salyut 1 didn't last as long as expected, plunging into the Pacific Ocean later that year. -
Columbia
This spacecraft, Columbia, was the first reusable spacecraft. It was launched and designed by the U.S. It returned 2 days later. -
Pioneer 10
Pioneer 10 was launched by the U.S in 1972. It was the first probe to ever pass by Neptune. -
Challenger Disaster
The Challenger was a space shuttle launched by NASA. About a minute after liftoff, an O-ring failed, causing gases to mix in the external fuel tank, and then to explode. The Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all 7 astronauts. -
Voyager 1
Designed and launched by the U.S, voyager 1 was designed to study the outer solar system. It also took the first picture of the entire solar system. -
Columbia Disaster
The Columbia was a reusable space shuttle designed by the U.S. On re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, it exploded due to a piece of insulation foam slamming up against the left wing of the space shuttle.
