Nasa spaceship

The History of Space Exploration

By 14wolfc
  • Sputnik 1

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

    Laika
    The first "Earthling", a Soviet dog named Laika, is successfully sent into space.
  • Explorer 1

    Explorer 1
    The first Untied States satellite to orbit the Earth, "Explorer 1" is launched.
  • NASA is formed

    NASA is formed
    NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is formed.
  • Yuri Gagarin

    Yuri Gagarin
    Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space. He orbits the Earth.
  • Alan Shepard

    Alan Shepard
    Alan Shepard becomes the first U.S. citizen in space.
  • John Glenn

    John Glenn
    Astrronaunt John Glenn becomes the first U.S. citizen to orbit the Earth.
  • Neil Armstrong

    Neil Armstrong
    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

    Voyager II
    Voyager II, the first space probe to fly by the four gas giant planets - Jupiter, Sautrn, Uranus, and Neptune - is launched.
  • Columbia - First Space Shuttle

    Columbia - First Space Shuttle
    The first American space shuttle is launched. It is the first "re-usable" space craft in history.
  • The Challenger

    The Challenger
    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

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

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

    Human Habitation
    Human habitation in the International Space Station begins.
  • Columbia Explodes

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