Space Race Timeline By 97tsmith Period: Apr 10, 1957 to Apr 10, 1969 space race Oct 4, 1957 The USSR launches sputnik #1. . Oct 1, 1958 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is formed, it replaces the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA). The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is formed, it replaces the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA). Jan 2, 1959 Luna #1 (the first man made object to orbit the Sun) is launched by the USSR. Apr 1, 1960 Tiros #1, the first successful weather satellite, is launched. Apr 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin orbits the Earth once and becomes the first man in space. Feb 20, 1962 February 20: John Glenn orbits the Earth three times, becoming the first American in orbit. Jun 6, 1963 A Russian, Valentina Tereshkova, becomes the first woman in space. Oct 12, 1964 the first mission to send multiple men into space. Dec 4, 1965 American astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovell fly Gemini 7 for fourteen days, setting an endurance record that will remain unbroken until 1970. Mar 16, 1966 Americans Neil Armstrong and David Scott couple Gemini 8 to an unmanned Agena vehicle, docking two spacecraft together for the first time Jan 27, 1967 A fire during routine testing of the Apollo spacecraft kills three astronauts -- Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chafee -- in their capsule Oct 11, 1968 After extensive redesign work, Apollo 7, commanded by Wally Schirra enters earth orbit in the first test of the spacecraft. Dec 21, 1968 Apollo 8 completes the first manned orbit of the moon. Jul 16, 1969 Apollo 11 begins its mission to the moon.