Space Race

First Satellite in Space by the USSR

Oct 4, 1957

The Soviet Union launched the first satellite called Sputnik 1. This was a shock to the US because they thought they would be the first to accomplish this achievement.

First Animal in Space by USSR

Nov 3, 1957

The first animal was sent to space by the Soviet Union again and was called Sputnik 2. The dogs name was Laika.

First Satellite in Space by the USA

Jan 31, 1958

The first Satellite was sent to space and was called the Explorer 1.

Creation of Nasa

Jul 29, 1958

President Eisenhower signs the National Aeronautics and Space Act creating Nasa. However, did not officially start business until October 1, 1958.

First Animal in Space by the USA

Jan 31, 1961

The US launched a chimp named Ham. He went to space and came back safely. However, he came back a little dehydrated.

First Man in Space by USSR

Apr 12, 1961

The Soviet Union launches Yuri Gagarin into space becoming the first man in space. He spent 1 hour 48 minutes up there before landing back in Russia.

First Man in Space By USA

May 5, 1961

Alan Shepard was the first US man to be launched into space and second man ever to be launched into space.

First Man to Orbit Earth By USA

Feb 20, 1962

John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth and was a part of the first astronaut class.

JFKs Speech and Commitment to Getting to the Moon

Sep 12, 1962

JFK speaks at Rice University to gain public support to land a man on the moon before 1970 and bring them back safely.

First Man to Do An EVA By USSR

Mar 18, 1965

Alexei Leonov was the first man to perform and EVA and spent 12 minutes outside his spacecraft.

First Man to Do An EVA By USA

Jun 3, 1965

Ed White was the first American man to do an EVA and second human ever to accomplish this.

Gemini 6A

Dec 15, 1965

Gemini 6A allowed us to become closer to landing on the moon allowing the rendezvous in Earth orbit.

Original Gemini 9 Crew

Feb 28, 1966

The original crew involved Elliot See and Charles Bassett. However, they were killed in a crash flying a T-38 jet trainer to the McDonnell Aircraft plant in St.Louis, Missouri to inspect their aircraft.

Gemini 8

Mar 16, 1966

Gemini 8 allowed Neil Armstrong to rendezvous and dock with the Agena. After that 2 space walks were planned.

Gemini 9

Jun 3, 1966

The objective was to demonstrate rendezvous techniques and docking with a target vehicle to simulate maneuvers to be carried out on future Apollo missions. Tom Stafford and Gene Cernan.

Apollo 1

Feb 21, 1967

Apollo 1 was supposed to be the first mission of Apollo however everyone involved would die at the ship caught on fire and eventually blew up. Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders were the 3 that would die during Apollo 1.

Apollo 7

Oct 11, 1968

Apollo 7 was the first test of command and service module with a crew. Apollo 7 involved Donn F. Eisele, Walter M. Schirra Jr., and Walter Cunningham.

Apollo 8

Dec 24, 1968

Apollo 8 was the first mission to take humans to the moon and back. The crew involved were Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders.

Apollo 9

Mar 3, 1969

Apollo 9 was the first crew flight of Apollo lunar hardware, as well as the first crewed flight of the lunar module. The crew involved were James McDivitt, David Scott, Russell Schweickart.

Apollo 10

May 18, 1969

Apollo 10 was a setup to Apollo 11 but however did not land on the moon. The crew members involver were Eugene Cernan, John Young, and Thomas Stafford.

Apollo 11

Jul 16, 1969

Apollo 11 was the first mission to successfully land humans on the moon. The crew that was involved were Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin.