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USSR Launches Sputnik I
Launched by the USSR, Sputnik I was the first satellite to be put into Earth's orbit. The purpose of the launch was to test method of placing a satellite in space, density of the atmosphere, test raidio and tracking system, and different wavelengths. The launch of the Sputnik began the Space Age. -
Sputnik II
Larger than Sputnik one, the Soviet Union launched another object into space, but this time with a dog named Laika. It was the second spacecraft launched into Earth's orbit. Enginering and biological data were transmitted to earth during the orbit. Also discovered Van Allen's radiation belt, but the severity of the radiation wasn't realized. Despite the accomplishments, the dog didn't make it back. -
Explorer 1
Explore 1 was launched on January 31, 1958, and was the first American satellite for space. It was the first spacecraft to detect the Van Allen Radiation Belt. it returned data until its batteries went out in after four months, and continued to be in orbit until 1970. It would be the first of Explorer Series spacecrafts. -
Sputnik III is Launched
On May 15th, 1958, Sputnik III was launched by the USSR. It was meant to explore the upper atmoshpere and near space. It provided information on concentrarion of charged particles, photons in cosmic rays, electrostatic fields, and meteoric particles.
Detected Earth's outer radiation belt, and it's tape recorder failed. -
NASA
NASA orThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration was formed by the US during the space race for more space and space flight reasearch. It controls all flights, missions, and research with space. -
President John F. Kennedy is elected as U.S. President
The election of John F. Kennedy was significant for the space program because he supported it. Kennedy made it a goal for America to land a man on the moon and return him safely by the end of the decade in which he was elected. He knew it was important for mankind and national political reasons. -
Yuri Gagarin becomes first human in outer-space
Conducted by the Soviet Union, Vostok 1(spacecraft) was launched on April 12, 1961 with Yuri Gagarin aboard. He was the first human ever to go in outer-space. The flight was a single orbit around Earth and took about 100 minutes. The mission was kept very secretive and most of the information about it ccame out years later. This was a big blow to the American space program, and afterwars Yuri became famous worldwide. -
Alan Sheppard, 1st American in space
On May 5, 1961 Alan Sheppard piloted the Freedom 7 mission to become the 2nd person, and 1st American in space. The launch was viewed by many Americans on television. The flight was 15 minutes long and was a suborbital flight. Alan would later recieve a NASA distinguished service medal from John F. Kennedy. -
First Humans On Moon
On July 16, 1961, NASA launched a spacecraft with Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins on track to the moon. They landed on the moon on July 20, and on July 21 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first human-beings to walk on the moon. While they were on the moon Michael Collins orbited the dark side of the moon. -
Valentia Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space.
The Soviet Union's, Vostok 6, launched on June 16, 1963 with Valentia Tereshkova on board. She would become the first woman to ever be in space as well as the first civilian. She helped collect data on how women react in space. She took pictures of the horizon of space that helped identify aersol layers in the atmosphere. -
John Glenn Orbits Earth 3 times
John Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth. He orbited the Earth 3 times which lasted 4 hours 55 minutes and 12 seconds. During the mission there were some worries over the heat shield and that it would cause an unsafe landing. Glenn modified his reentry procedure and made a safe landing into water. John was celebrated as a hero and was given a parade and many other awards. -
Alexei Leonov does first Spacewalk
Part of the Soviet Union's Voskhod 2 flight planned to have Alexei Leonov conduct the first human space-walk in space, and it was a success. Alexei stepped outside his spacecraft in his spacesuit for a 12 minute spacewalk. -
Luna 10 Orbits Moon
Part of the Soviet Union's Luna program, Luna 10 was the first satellite to orbit the moon. It was launched towards the moon on March 31, 1966 and entered lunar orbit on April 3, 1966. It included a gamma-ray spectrometer, magnetometer, meteorite detector, infared devices, and other instruments. The satellite also conducted gravitational studies -
Soyuz 1
Soyuz 1 was a manned spacecraft wth Vladimir Komarov aboard. It was the first of the Soyuz series, and on its return back to Earth, problems caused a crash and the death of Vladimir. It was the first fatal space flight the world had seen. -
Discoverer 14
The Discoverer 14 was the first satelitte into space by coming of a moving spacecraft in orbit and then reattching in mid-air.It was also a spy satellite and was successfully launched by the United States.
