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First satellite in space
Sputnik launched into orbit as the first ever satellite only 23 inches in diameter but over 184 pounds. Sputnik had circled the globe 1,440 times over 3 months of orbit before returning to the earth. -
FIrst animal in space
The first animal in space was launched by the USSR. Laika, the dog was a part samoyed terrier who lived as a stray in Moscow. Laika did not survive the mission as she was never intended to. -
First US satellite
The first US satellite launched, Explorer 1. Explorer 1 was a modified redstone ballistic missile. This spacecraft is also the first to make a scientific discovery from space. -
Creation of NASA
Nasa was created "In order to provide for research into the problems of flight within and outside of earths atmosphere and for other purposes." around this time there was a technology crisis for the cold war. -
First animal in space by USA
Ham the chimp was the first animal launched into space by the US which had also built much controversy around sending animals to their death. His flight lasted about 16 minuted. -
First man to orbit earth
John Glenn, aboard Mercury 7 was the first man to orbit the earth as well as the first person to attain the "astronaut" class. -
First man in space
Riding in Vostok 1, Yuri Gagarin was the first man to enter space circling earth at a speed of 27,400 kmph lasting 108 minutes -
First man in space: USA
Alan Shepherd Jr, aboard freedom 7 had become the first americans in space. The flight lasted 15 minuted having travelled over 300 miles, reaching an altitude of 116 miles above earths surface. -
JFK's speech about the moon
JFK's famous speech talked about how important it was for the US to become a leader in space exploration, this speech was to gain support or his push to put a human on the moon before 1970. -
First ever EVA by USSR
Alexei Leonov, was the first man to experience space outside of a spacecraft. He had spent 12 minutes and 9 seconds in open space. -
Gemini III
The very first manned mission in project gemini, its main goal was to test the viability of long-term missions in space. This was also the first time two astronauts flew together in space. -
First ever EVA by USA
Edward H. White, became the first american man to do a spacewalk, riding aboard the gemini 4 capsule -
Gemini VI
Gemini VI was the first mission where to spacecraft meet while in space, it was the first successful rendezvous in space. -
Gemini 9 original crew (Tragedy)
Gemini 9's original crew didn't even get to make it into space, during training in a T-38 jet, all of its crew were killed (Elliot See, Charles Bassett) on the way to inspect their spacecraft. -
Gemini X
Gemini X was the first spacecraft to make a maneuver that changed the orbital plane that the spacecraft was riding on, this is extremely helpful as the astronauts now had some control. -
Apollo 1 (Tragedy)
Apollo 1 was the first fatal accident in space flight, everyone aboard (Virgil Grissom, Edward White, Roger Chaffee) was killed due to asphyxiation. A stray spark had started a flash fire in the spacecraft and design flaws caused the hatch to be unable to be opened in time. -
Apollo 7
Apollo 7 was the first test of a command and service module with a flight crew. The crew had spent 10 days and 22 hours in space. Crew included, Stafford, John W. Young, Eugene A. Cernon. -
Apollo 8
Apollo 8 was the first spacecraft to leave low orbit earth, they were also the first crew to go to the moon. they orbited the moon 10 times before departing back for earth. Crew included Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders. -
Apollo 9
Apollo 9 was the first crew to to fly with apollo lunar hardware, as well as being the first crew flight in the lunar module. Crew included James Mcdivitt, David Scott, Russel Schweickart. -
Apollo 10
Apollo 10 was a complete lunar flight, it was prepared with everything for landing and coming up to it, and the crew did all of that, besides the landing. They had went to the moon and came back. Crew included Eugene Cernan, John Young, Thomas Stafford. -
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 was the first space mission to land a man on the moon, Neil Armstrong became the first ever human to land on the moon, thus winning the space race. Crew included Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin Aldrin