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Launching of Sputnik I
The first man-made object to orbit the Earth, is launched by the U.S.S.R. and remains in orbit until January 4, 1958. -
Explorer 1
the first American satellite, enters orbit around Earth. -
N.A.S.A.
N.A.S.A. is founded taking over National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics. -
Luna 3
translunar satellite is launched, orbiting the moon and photographing 70 percent of the far side of the moon. -
Tiros 1
the first successful weather satellite is launched. -
Vostok 6
It carried the first woman in space, circled the earth 48 times. -
Alexei Leonov
made the fist spacewalk, spends 12 minutes outside of his Voskhod spacecraft. -
Ranger 9
transmits high-quality images of the moon, many of which were shown live in the first television spectacular about the moon. -
U.S. Lunar Orbiter 1
enters moon orbit, and takes the first picture of the Earth from the distance of the moon. -
Soviet Zond 5
the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon and return. -
Apollo 8
the first manned spacecraft to orbit the Moon, making 10 orbits on its 6-day mission. -
Apollo 13
is launched, suffering an explosion in its SM oxygen tanks. The Moon landing is cancelled, and James A. Lovell, Jr., John L. Swigert, Jr. and Fred Haise, Jr., return safely. -
Soviet Venera 7
is the first probe to soft-land on Venus, transmitting for 23 minutes. -
Apollo 17's return from the moon
It was the last mission to the moon. The man make it back home safely and sound.
