Space Race

USSR Launches Sputnik

Oct 4, 1957

The world's first artificial satellite was about the size of a beach ball. Took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth on its elliptical path.

USA Launches Explorer 1

Jan 31, 1958

First U.S. satellite and the first satellite to carry science instruments. Followed a looping flight path that orbited Earth once every 114 minutes.

USA Launches Ham- A Chimpanzee on Mercury 2

Jan 31, 1961

HAM was the first chimp in space. Blasted off to an altitude of 157 miles during the Mercury-Redstone 2 mission.

USSR Launches Luna 3

Oct 4, 1971

The third spacecraft successfully launched to the Moon and the first to return images of the lunar far side.