| 1957:Sputnik I --- first orbiting satellite to be launched |
| 1957: Sputnic II --- first satellite to carry a live animal |
| 1958: Vanguard I --- first satellite to show the real shape of Earth |
| 1958: Exlplorer IV --- first satellite to measure belts of particles |
| 1959: Discoverer I --- first satellite to be in polar orbit |
| 1959: Lunik II --- first satellite to hit the moon |
| 1959: Lunik III --- first satellite to photograph the far side of the moon |
| 1960: Tiros I --- first weather satellite |
| 1960: Transit I -B --- first navigation satellite |
| 1962: Telstar I --- first television relay |
| 1962: Mariner II --- first satellite to visit Venus |
| 1965: Mariner IV --- first satellite to send clear pictures of Mars to Earth |
| 1966: Luna X --- first satel |