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Sputnik 1
On this day, the USSR launched the Sputnik 1 into orbit. The Spunik 1 marked the very first man made craft launched into orbit. Although this satellite was only used for testing earths atmosphere, this marked the beginning of the space race between the United States and USSR. (https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_924.html) -
Laika the Space Dog
On this day, Laika the dog became the first living animal to be launched into space by the USSR. Laika was one of many strays picked up by the USSR's space program. Laika was used to test if space travel would be safe for humans. Tragically, Laika's mission would not see a return to earth, as the technology had not yet advanced that far. Laika the space dog would tragically die within hours of being launched into space, due to panic, and overheating. (http://time.com/3546215/laika-1957/) -
Explorer 1
On this day, the united states launched it's very first satellite into orbit; Explorer 1. Explorer 1's launch followed the soviet unions launch of sputnik 1, as the US was slightly behind in the space race. Explorer 1's orbit brought it as close to earth as 354km and as far as 2,515km. Explorer 1 made a total of more than 58,000 orbits before finally plunging back to Earth and burning up. (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/explorer/explorer-overview.html) -
Luna 1
On this day, Luna 1 was launched towards the moon by the Soviet Union in order to orbit it and gather more information on the moon, space, and earth itself. The craft passed withing 5,995km of the surface of the moon. Eventually, the craft went into orbit around the sun, between earth and mars. (https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1959-012A) -
Yuri Gagarin Launches Into Space
On this day, Yuri Gagarin became the very first man in space. Launched by the soviet union, Gagarin flew aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. His flight only lasted for a single orbit before making a return to Earth. Yuri was sadly killed in a plane several months later. Another plane had flown much lower than planned, nearing Yuri's plane and ultimately causing a crash. (http://www.history.com/news/what-really-happened-to-yuri-gagarin-the-first-man-in-space) -
Alan Shepard Launches Into Space
On this day, the US launched its first man into space; Alan Shepard. Shepard was launched into space aboard the Freedom 7 spacecraft, making US history. Shepard's previous career began in the navy, fighting in WW2. Shepard was trained as a navy test pilot, and tested many different models of planes before joining the NASA space program. (https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/shepard-alan.html) -
John Glenn Goes Into Orbit
On this day, John Glenn, aboard the friendship 7 spacecraft, became the first American to launch into orbit. Glenn flew missions in both WW2 and the Korean war before before becoming a part of NASA. After his missions with NASA, Glenn got into politics, even becoming a U.S. Senator. In 1998 Glenn once again flew in space, aboard a 9 day mission on the STS-95 Discovery Shuttle, becoming the oldest man in space. (https://www.nasa.gov/content/profile-of-john-glenn) -
First American Spacewalk
On this day, the first American spacewalk was carried out by Ed White. The spacewalk lasted for 23 minutes, as Ed went to and from the space craft multiple times. A hand-held oxygen jet gun was used to propel White out of the craft and into the vast openness of space. The spacewalk began over the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii and ended over the Gulf of Mexico. (https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1098.html) -
Gemini 8
On this day, the Gemini 8 space flight was launched into space with first time astronaut Neil Armstrong aboard. This would mark the first time 2 objects docked in space. Although at first, the mission went as planned, it wasn't long before things went south. Gemini 8's thrusters were firing wildly out of control. Armstrong's quick thinking allowed the craft to be safely back to Earth.
(http://www.nationalreview.com/article/434155/gemini-8-forgotten-mission-almost-ended-space-program) -
Apollo 1
On this day, tragedy struck on the launch pad at Cape Kennedy, Florida. Three astronauts, Virgil Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee, lost their lives when a fire swept through their command module. The flight they were on was only a test, but its failure postponed many other upcoming missions planned by NASA. (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo1.html) -
Apollo 8
On this day, the Apollo 8 mission launched into space. The mission would be the first time humans would orbit the moon, and return safely home. Apollo 8 radioed back Christmas eve, as millions of Americans listened. The crew read from the book of genesis, before giving a closing wish to everyone "On the good earth." Apollo 8 orbited the moon a total of 10 times on Christmas Eve before finally beginning their journey back to Earth. (https://www.nasa.gov/topics/history/features/apollo_8.html) -
Apollo 11
On this day, one of the most important space exploration missions was launched; Apollo 11. Apollo 11 would be the first human craft to land on the moon. The mission is where Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin uttered the famous line "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Buzz and Armstrong spent a total of 21 hours and 36 minutes on the moons surface before finally departing back to Earth. (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo11.html)
