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Sputnik 1
On this memorable day in scientific history, the first man-made space shuttle takes it's flight. It was called Sputnik 1. It was launched by the U.S.S.R and remained in orbit until January 4, 1958. -
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Great SPace RAce
The Great Space RAce -
Sputnik 2
On November 3, 1957, launched the second object called Sputnik 2 in space with it's trusty captain, Laika the dog. Laika went into space for one week in orbit. This was also launched by the U.S.S.R. and remained in orbit until April 13, 1958. -
Explorer 1
The Explorer 1, the first U.S. satellite in orbit lifted off at Cape Canaveral. Using a cool A.B.Mid-J.P.L. It carried the scientific experiment of James A. Van Allen and discovered the earth's radiation belt. -
Luna 2
The Luna 2 was launched impacting the moon in September. It became the first man-made object to hit the moon. -
Mercury Freedom 7
On May 5, 1961, the Mercury Freedom 7, carried the first american in space. That historic shuttle carried Alan Shepard. -
Vostok 6
This date marked a good day for women. ValentiA Tereskova was the first woman in space on the Vostok 6. It orbited 48 times. -
Apollo 11
Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin Jr. make the 1st soft landing on the moon. The did the first moonwalk using Apollo 11. -
Apollo 14
On this great day in golf and space history on the Apollo 14 with Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa and Edgar Mitchell. With a two wheeled cart, Alan Shepard became the 1st man to hit a golf ball on the moon. -
Pioneer 11
On April 5 1973, the Pioneer 11 was launched flying pst Jupiter in 1974 and Saturn where it discovered new rings. -
Pioneer 11
On September 1, 1979, the Pioneer 11 reached Saturn and returned with close up photographs. -
Salyut 7
This day marks another great record for space. The two people to break the record were soviet's Anatoly N. Berezovoi and Valentin V. Lebedev. They flew in the Soyoz-T-5 to have a "conference" with the Salyot 7 (the 1st team in a space station) They both return to earth in the Soyoz-T-7, setting another record for the duration of 211 days. -
Soyuz T 12
On July 17, 1984, came the launch of Soyoz T12. carrying Svetlana Savitskaya, In woman history, this was big because she was the first woman to walk in space. -
Soyuz-TM2
Congratulations to Yuri V. Romanenko for breaking the two soviets (Anatoly and Valentin's) record of the longest duration. In December 1987, Yuri broke the record with Soyuz TM 2 and space station Mir. His record was 326 days. Only 115 days after the other record. -
Mars Observer
On September 25, the first American probe the Mars Observer. It's the first probe ever since 17 years ago. This was intended to study Mars atmosphere. surface and appearance. On August 21, 1993, Mars Observer lost contract. -
Soyuz TM 25
On February 10, 1997, just before take off, the worst happened. A fire broke out on board of the Soyuz TM 25. They could put the fire out but they needed new crew members because of the freighter many events of failure. -
Lunar Prospector
On January 7, 1998, the Luna Prospector made it's first mission. This is special because it was the first shuttle to go to the moon in 25 years. And to research the moon ever since 1972. With the Apollo 17, this mission was to see the moons appearance and if anything was wrong with it. It confirmed the prediction of the D.D.C. mission had though in 1994 trapped in its's craters were 6.6 trillion tons of permenantly frozen water ice. -
NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous
On February 14, 2000, earth's scientist received pictures of an up-close asteroid N.E.A.R. (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) was the shuttle that went up. It was a probe that orbited the asteroid #443 - Eros. Scientists were able to have an easy impact. It was a potato shaped asteroid. -
Shenshou Spaceship
On January 9, 2001 came the launch of the first true millenium for the Chinese. Also, the second test flight of the animal manned Shenshou Spaceship. Can you believe that the three astronauts were a monkey, a rabbit and a dog. -
Mir Space Station De-orbited
On March 23, 2001, 15 years ago after the 1st launch, here it comes again. The Mir Space Station is de-orbited. It's impact was so hard, it disrupted the atmosphere and the Pacific Ocean.