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NASA founded
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration was founded in 1958 and continues to thrive today. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the founder. -
North American X-15 launched
This rocket originally launched in 1959 has been marked as one of space science's biggest landmarks. With breakthrough technology at the time of its launch, it's launching has been marked as a historic event. -
Echo Launched
Echo, the first ever communications satellite is launched into orbit. I, of course, is no longer active but still serves an import landmark. -
Alan B. Sherpard becomes first American in Space
After the Soviet Union but before any other country, Alan B. Sheppard becomes the first American in space. -
We choose to go to the Moon Speech
When John F. Kennedy gave his famous moon speech, it inspired the nation like gasoline to a spark. "We choose to go to the moon, in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." -
John Glenn becomes first American to Orbit Earth
John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth, second to Soviet Union astronaut Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin. He traveled in Friendship 7 and returned December 8, 19 -
Apollo 1 goes up in flames
On January 27, during a pretest, something caught aflame in inside the capsule and killed all four aboard. This event was so horrific, it nearly shut down the Apollo space program, if not for the persistence of President Eisenhower to continue. -
Apollo 7 orbits the Earth and Moon
In 1968, an Apollo mission finally reaches the moon and orbits it but without docking. They took important pictures and collected samples of floating debris. -
Apollo 11 lands on the Moon
Finally, after 11 years after NASA was founded (the irony is thick with this one, with Apollo 11, and 11 years after it's founded), man lands on the Moon. Neil Armstrong takes with the first step, saying his famous words of "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." -
Mariner 9 lands on Mars
The first ever satellite to land on Mars was apart of NASA's Vikings program. It landed successfully and is counted as a win during the Space Race. -
First Scientist to walk on the Moon
Geologist Harrison Harrison H. Schmit becomes the first scientist to walk on the Moon. An American, his view of the Earth at a more trained perspective helped provide insight on the Moon that other astronauts couldn't. -
First International Human Space Flight achieved
The Space Race ended and it marked a beginning of friendship when the Apollo and Soyuz space crafts docked together, forming an international space station. -
Voyager 1 Launches
Voyager 1 begins its journey of exploring the universe. Sadly, this satellite will not return but has already sent thousands of groundbreaking images of outer space. -
Challenger Shuttle Explodes and kills Teacher
This isn't a happy event, but one that needed to be included. For although NASA accomplished many amazing things, there has come with some faults as well. 73 seconds after launch the Challenger space shuttle burst into flames and exploded, killing all 7 aboard. This included a civilian teacher, Christa McAuliffe, who was selected to fly for "Teachers in Space". -
First American Women in Space
Sally Ride becomes the first American women in space with the aid of the Apollo program. She's second only to Valentina Tereshkova, a Soviet Astronaut who launched with Soyuz. -
The Hubble Telescope
The Space Telescope was launched into Earth's orbit on April 24th, 1990, and remains active today. Created by NASA, it's widely used for modern communications and is critical for outer space views of Earth. -
Mars Exploration Rovers are launched
Two Rovers, Oppronutiy and Spirt, launched to Mars. They both collected multiple new Mars photos, and thoroughly explored the planet to the best of their extent. Unfortunately, On February 13, 2019, Oppronutiy "died" due to dust on their solar panel that prevented them from recharging. -
First Image of Black Hole
Astronomers were able to obtain the first-ever image of a Blackhole. although blurry, it's very astounding and confirms that there is, in fact, Black holes in existence.
