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Soviet Union Launches Sputnik One
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union (now Russia) launched the Sputnik One, the world's first artificial Earth satellite. It was soon followed by the Sputnik Two and the world's first man on the moon. -
Soviet Union Launches Sputnik Two
On November 3, 1957, about a month after the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik Two, the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik Two with a stray dog named Laika (Russian: Лайка, meaning Barker) that had been rescued off the Moscow streets. The Soviet Union quickly followed the Sputnik Two with the Sputnik Three. -
United States Launches Vanguard One
On March 17, 1958, the United States launched the Vanguard One using a Vanguard Rocket. It was the world's third artificial satellite, behind the Sputnik One and the Sputnik Two, all launched by the Soviet Union. -
Soviet Union Launches Sputnik Three
On May 15, 1958, the Soviet Union, which had already launched the Sputnik One and the Sputnik Two, launched the Sputnik Three. It was the world's fourth artificial satellite, behind the Sputnik One, Sputnik Two, and the Vanguard One. -
First Man on the Moon
On this day in 1969, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were the first people on the moon. They were with famous NASA Mission Apollo 11. Neil Armstrong later died of heart complications, but Buzz Aldrin is still alive. -
NASA Launches Apollo 13
On April 11, 1970, NASA launched its seventh manned mission. The Apollo 13 mission was the third of those seven manned missions intended to land on the moon. The mission returned safely to Earth on April 17. -
NASA Launches Apollo 14
On January 31, 1971, NASA launched its eighth manned mission. The Apollo 14 mission was also the fourth of those eight missions intended to land on the moon. The mission crew landed in the Pacific Ocean on February 9. -
NASA Launches Apollo 15
On July 26, 1971, NASA launched its ninth manned mission. The Apollo 15 mission was also the fifth mission intended to land on the moon. The mission sucessfully landed back on Earth on August 7. -
NASA Launches Apollo 16
On April 16, 1972, NASA launched its 10th manned mission. The Apollo 16 mission was also the fifth of those 10 missions intended to land on the moon. On April 27, the mission sucessfully landed back on Earth. -
NASA Launches Apollo 17
On December 7, 1972, NASA launched its 11th and final manned mission. The Apollo 17 mission was also the sixth of those 11 missions intended to land on the moon. On December 19, the mission sucessfully landed back on Earth.
