The History of Space Exploration

Sputnik 1

Oct 4, 1957

The Soviet satellite "Sputnik 1" is the first object sent into space and to successfully orbit the Earth.

Laika

Nov 3, 1957

The first "Earthling", a Soviet dog named Laika, is successfully sent into space.

First United States Satellite

Jan 31, 1958

The first United States satellite to orbit the Earth-"Explorer 1"- is launched.

NASA

Oct 1, 1958

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) formed.

First Person in Space

Apr 12, 1961

Soviet cosmonaunt Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space. (he orbits the Earth)

Alan Shepard

May 5, 1961

Alan Shepard becomes the first United States citizen in space.

John Glenn

Feb 20, 1962

Astronaut John Glenn becomes the first United States citizen to orbit the Earth.

First Man on the Moon

Jul 20, 1969

Apollo 11 crew member Neil Armstrong is the first man to walk on the moon. His fellow crew member Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin is right behind him, making him the second man to walk on the moon.

Voyager II

Aug 20, 1977

Voyager II, the first space probe to fly by the four gas giant planets-Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune-is launched.

First American Space Shuttle

Apr 12, 1981

The first American space shuttle is launched. This is the first "re-usable" space craft in history.

Challenger

Jan 28, 1986

The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off, killing all of its crew members including the first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe.

Hubble Space Telescope

Apr 24, 1990

The Hubble Space Telescope is launched into orbit around the Earth.

Pathfinder

Jul 4, 1997

The un-manned American space probe "Pathfinder" lands on Mars and begins its successful exploration of the planet.

International Space Station

Nov 2, 2000

Human habitation in the International Space Station begins.

Columbia

Feb 1, 2003

The space shuttle Columbia explodes upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.