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Sputnik 1
*The Soviet Sattelite "Sputnik 1" is the first object sent into space and to successfully orbit the Earth. -
First "Earthling" sent into space
*The first "Earthling", a Soviet dog named Laika, is successfully sent into space. -
Explorer 1 Launched
*The first United States satellite to orbit the Earth - "Explorer 1" - is launched. -
NASA formed
*NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is formed. -
First Person in Space
*Soviet cosmonuat Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space. (he orbits the Earth) -
First US citizen in space
*Alan Shepard becomes the First United States citizen in space. -
First U.S. Citizen to orbit the Earth
*Astronaut John Glenn becomes the first United States citizen to orbit the Earth. -
Neil Armstrong Walks on Moon
*Apollo 11 crew member Neil Armstrong is the first man to walk on the moon. His fellow crew member Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin is right behind him, making him the second man to walk on the moon. -
Voyager II
*Voyager II, the first space probe to fly by the four gas giant planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune- is launched. -
First re-usable Space Craft in History
*The first American space shuttle is launched. This is the first "re-usable" space craft in history. -
Challenger Explodes
*The space shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after take-off , killing all of its crew members including the first teacher in space, Christ McAuliffe. -
Hubble Space Telescope
*The Hubble Space Telescope is launched into orbit around the Earth. -
Pathfinder lands on Mars
*The un-manned American space probe "Pathfinder" lands on Mars and begins its successful exploration of the planet. -
Human Habitation
*Human habitation in the International Space Station begins. -
Columbia explodes
*The space shuttle Columbia explodes upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
