The Space Race

The Soviet Union Launches First Artificial Satellite

Oct 4, 1957

The Soviet Union launches the first artificail satellite, Sputnik 1 photo from: http://www.coalwoodwestvirginia.com/sputnik.htm

First Animal In Orbit

Nov 11, 1957

The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2, a satellite designed for a one way trip for a dog, named Laika photo from: http://www.spacetoday.org/Astronauts/Animals/Dogs.html

First Successful U.S. Satellite

Jan 31, 1958

First successful launch and orbit of a U.S satellite, the Explorer 1 photo from: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/explorer-1/

First Human In Space

Apr 12, 1961

The Soviet Union launches cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin into a 108 minutes long flight in space.
photo from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/sts1/gagarin_anniversary.html

First American In Space

May 5, 1961

U.S. launches american Alan Shepard into a 15 minute flight in space
photo from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alan_Shepard_in_Space_Suit_before_Mercury_Launch_-_GPN-2000-001023.jpg

First American Astronaut In Orbit

Feb 20, 1962

Astronaut John H. Glenn orbits the Earth 3 times in approximately 5 hours. photo from: http://www.upi.com/Archives/Audio/Events-of-1962/Glen-then-Russians-Orbit-Earth/

U.S. Space Tragedy

Jan 27, 1967

A fire breaks out in a ground test, 3 astronauts are killed. Gus Grissom, Ed White, Roger Chaffe.