The Events of the Space Race

The Space Race

Period: Jan 1, 1957 to Dec 31, 1972

Sputnik 1 is launched

Oct 4, 1957

Sputnik 1 is launched by the Soviet Union.

Sputnik 2 is launched

Nov 3, 1957

Sputnik 2 is launched by the Soviet Union shotly after after Sputnik 1's launch. It was the first satalite to carry a living thing. It crried a dog named Laika.

Explorer 1 is launched

Jan 31, 1958

Explorer 1 is launched by the US. It helps the US discover Earth's radiation belt.

Explorer 2 is launched

Mar 5, 1958

Explorer 2 is launched by the US, but does not reach Earth's ordit.

NASA is founded

Oct 1, 1958

N.A.S.A is founded.

Luna 1 is launched

Jan 2, 1959

Luna 1 is launched by the Soviet Union, and is the first satalite to orbit the moon.

Tiros 1 is launched

Apr 1, 1960

Tiros 1 is launched by the US and becomes the first succesful weather satalite.

Vostok 1 is launched

Apr 12, 1961

Vostok 1 is launched by the Soviet Union and carries the first man into space.

Soyuz 1 is launched

Apr 23, 1967

Soyuz 1 is launched by the Soviet Union. A day later the spacecraft crashed and killed the astronaut.

Apollo 11 lands on the moon

Feb 3, 1969

Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin make the first soft landing on the moon. They were the first humans to walk on the moon. It was launched by the US