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  The space race begins. The Soviet union launched the first
satellite Sputnik I. - 
  
  Sputnik II launches. Inside the spacecraft was a dog named Laika.
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  The US launches Explorer 1. The first American satellite to reach orbit
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  The US creates a space program called NASA.
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  Yuri Gagarin was the first person to enter space. He was from Russia and went to space in the Vostok I. He was only in space 2 hours.
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  Alan B. Shepard was the first American to enter space. He was only in space for 15 minutes.
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  NASA launches Friendship 7. John Glenn was the first person to orbit earth.
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  US wins the race to the moon beating the USSR. "Buzz" Aldrin and Neil Armstrong are the first people to walk on the moon.