Space Exploration

1st Satellite

Oct 4, 1957

The Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into space.

first satellite launched by the United States

Jan 31, 1958

Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the United States when it was sent into orbit on January 31, 1958.

1st photo of earth

Aug 7, 1959

First photograph of Earth from orbit

First human in space

Apr 12, 1961

Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space.

1st woman in space

Jun 16, 1963

First woman in space (Valentina Tereshkova).

1st satelitle around the moon

Apr 3, 1966

First artificial satellite around another world (the Moon).

1st orbital ultraviolet observatory

Dec 7, 1968

First orbital ultraviolet observatory

First X-ray orbital observatory

Dec 12, 1970

First X-ray orbital observatory

First human made object sent on escape trajectory away from the Sun

Mar 3, 1972

First human made object sent on escape trajectory away from the Sun

First polar orbit around the Sun

Feb 8, 1992

First polar orbit around the Sun