Space Exploration

Ptolemy

367

Ptolemy was an Egyptian astronomer, mathmatician, and geographer. Ptolemy was born in 367 B.C. He developed a detailed geocentric model. Ptolemy predicted the motion of planets years into the future. He thought planets moved in small circles (rotation) that move in bigger circles (revolution).

Copernicus

Feb 19, 1473

Copernicus was a polish astronomer. Copernicus drew the first detailed heliocentricmodel of the solar system. Copernicus used Ptolemy's "wheels on wheels" system. Copernicus model had better observations than Ptolemy's geocentric model. Copernicus heliocentric model was the first step to the development of modern models.

Galileo

Feb 15, 1564

Galileo was a scientist who studied the Scientific Methods. Galileo invented the telescope. He observed four of Jupiters moons (Io, Europa, Callisto, and Ganymede) withhis telescope. We call these moons the Galilean satelites. He supported the heliocentric model. He saw that Venus went through phases like Earth's moon. This happened because the direction the sun was lighting Venus made it look like that as it was revolving around the sun.

Sputnik 1

Oct 4, 1957

On October 4, 1957 the Solviet Union launched the Sputnik 1 into space. This was the first satelite in space. It contained a 3.5kg radio transmitter. The Sputnik 1 was a sphere that was only 585 mm in diameter. this was the first step into space exploration beyond earth

Explorer 1

Jan 31, 1958

The U.S. launched its first satelite on January 31, 1958. It was named the Explorer 1. This was the start of the " Space Race" between the Solviet Union and the U.S. In that same year NASA was formed. Its purpose was to explore deeper into space for the "Conquest of Space".

Yuri A. Gagarin

Apr 12, 1961

Solviet Union cosmounaut Yuri A. Gargarin was the first person to orbit earth. He was also the first person in space. He orbited earth for 118 min. He was aboard the Vostok 1.

Alan Shepard

May 5, 1961

Alan Shepard was the second person togo into space. He was also the first american to go into space. He flew safely for 15min in a capsule called Freedom 7

John H. Glenn Jr.

Jul 21, 1961

John H. Glenn Jr. was the first american to orbit earth. John completed 3 orbits in less than 5 hours.

Mariner 2

Jun 12, 1962

In 1962 Mariner 2 was within 35,000km from Venus and sent data back.

Telstar

Jun 12, 1962

Technicians joind the telstar satellite to a delta rocket for launch. Telstar was the first satellite to transmit TV signals.

Valentina V. Tereshkova

Jun 16, 1963

Valentina V. Tereshkova was the first woman in space. She orbited 48 times in 3 days.

Alexei A. Leonov

Mar 18, 1965

Alexei was the first person to walk in space. Alexei was part of the Solviet Union.

Edward H. White II

Jun 3, 1965

Edward H. White II was the first american to walk in space.

Neil Armstrong

Jul 20, 1969

Neil Armstrong became the first person to step foot on the moon. This was the first time America beat the Solviet Union in something. The Solviet Union got the small accomplishments but we got the big one.

Salyut 1

Apr 19, 1971

The Solviet Union sent Salyut 1 into space on April 19, 1971. This was the first space station.

Pioneer 10

Jun 12, 1972

Pioneer 10 was the first space probe to make it through the astroid belt and observe mars.

Skylab

May 14, 1973

Skylab was sent into space on May 14, 1973. This was the first american space station.

Viking 2

Jun 12, 1976

Viking 2 landed on mars in 1976. It took more than 16000images. It stopped working in 1978.

Space Shuttles

Jun 12, 1981

Shuttle flights began in 1981. Space Shuttles would fly to the International Space Station.

Galileo

Jun 12, 1989

The space probe Galileo was deployed ifrom the space shuttle Atlantis in 1989. Its purpose was to study Jupiter and its planets. It flew by Jupiter in 1995

Mars Sojourner

Jun 12, 1996

The Mars Sojourner lander used an x-ray spectrometer to analyze mars in 1996.

Cassini-Huygens

Jun 12, 1997

Cassini-Huygens space probe was launched. Its purpose was to study Saturn and its moons.

Mars Rover

Jun 12, 2004

The mars Explorration Rovers Spirit and Opportunityexplored opposite sides of mars.

Aristotle

Mar 2, 2022

Aristotle was a greek philosopher and scientist. Aristotle was born in 384 B.C. Aristotle thought that Earth was the center of everything. Aristotle thought everything surrounded Earth. He thought that stars would move while the Earth revolves around the sun.