space timeline

sputnik 1

Oct 4, 1957

spunik 1 was the satellite sent by the Soviet's to successfully orbit around earth. It successfully started it's orbit on October 4th, 1957, taking about 98 minutes to orbit. https://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/

Explorer 1

Jan 31, 1958

Explorer 1 was the US's satellite. It was also the first successful satellite for the US as part of the International Geophysical Year. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/explorer/explorer-overview.html

Luna 1

Jan 2, 1959

The Luna 1 was a spacecraft from Russia. it was the first craft to reach the moon. It was intended to impact the moon. it was an automatic interplanetary station which successfully launched in the direction of the Moon. It was used to examine the Moon and see what would be needed to successfully land someone on it. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1959-012A

Ham the Astrochimp

Jan 31, 1961

Ham was the first chimp and the first hominid launched into space on January 31st 1961 as part of America's Space Program designed by John F. Kennedy. Ham was three when he was sent to space. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ham_(chimpanzee)

Yuri Gagarin

Apr 12, 1961

First Russian Cosmonaut to be in space and walk in space. Yuri took off in the Vostok 1 spacecraft, on April 12th, 1961. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/sts1/gagarin_anniversary.html

Alan Shepard

May 5, 1961

Alan Shepard became the first American in space when the Freedom 7 spacecraft on May 5, 1961. In 1971, Shepard became the fifth man to walk on the moon, and the first one to play golf on it. http://www.space.com/17385-alan-shepard-first-american-in-space.html

John Glenn

Feb 20, 1962

John Glenn was the first U.S. astronaut to orbit Earth, completing three orbits in 1962. He also served as a U.S senator from Ohio. http://www.biography.com/people/john-glenn-9313269

Spacewalk

Jun 3, 1965

Gemini 4 carried Ed White, the first American to walk in space. he stayed in space for 23 minutes ending over the Gulf of Mexico. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/gemini_4_eva.html

Spacecraft Rendezvous

Dec 15, 1965

Gemini 6 and 7 were meant to be the first rendezvous in space. They were not part of NASA's plans originally. Gemini 6 blew up on launch complex 19. Lovell and Borman orbited in Titan 2 and Gemini 6-A rendezvoused in orbit together. https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/world%E2%80%99s-first-space-rendezvous

Apollo 1

Feb 21, 1967

A horrible ending to a mission involving all crew members in Apollo 1. A fire erupted in the crew module and killed all members.

Apollo 8

Dec 21, 1968

Was the 2nd mission with humans aboard. It was called Christmas on the Moon. It was a last-minute decision on the part of NASA management. Apollo 8's mission lasted 7 days going through the days of Christmas. The two most important crew members onboard were Frank Borman and Jim Lovell. http://www.space.com/17362-apollo-8.html

Apollo 11

Jul 16, 1969

This mission was one of if not the most important missions in the Space Race. The US sent Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin. This is where Neil gave his famous speech "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo11.html