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The Telescope
Space Exploration Timeline
Welcome to the Space Exploration Timeline! In this section of Beyond Earth, you will view the dates and details of mankind's greatest achievements in space exploration. These space milestones are organized by date and grouped by decade.
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- October 4, 1957 - First Artificial Satellite
The USSR beat the United States into space by launching
Sputnik 1. At 184 pounds, it was the the world's first artificial satellite. Sputnik transmitted radio signals back to Earth for only a short time, but it was a major accomplishment.
- November 3, 1957 - First Live Animal in Space
Following the success of Spunik 1, the Soviets launched Sputnik 2 on November 3, 1957. The spacecraft contained a pressurized container which housed a dog named Laika. The capsule contained a controlled atmosphere, food supply, waste collection system and biological sensors. Laika lived 8 days until the food supply ran out, and proved that animals could survive in space.
- January 31, 1958 - First American Satellite
America launched its first satellite. Weighing only 30 pounds, Explorer 1 was launched into orbit by the Army on a Jupiter-C rocket. The satellite contained several scientific instruments. This mission discovered the radiation belts surrounding the Earth.
- October 1, 1958 - NASA is Born
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is founded, taking over the responsibilities of the existing National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics.
- January 2, 1959 - First Spacecraft to Achieve Solar Orbit
The Russian satellite Luna 1 is launched in an attempt to hit the Moon. The spacecraft misses the Moon and is flung out into space by the Moon's gravity. It becomes the first man-made object to achieve an orbit around the Sun.
- September 12, 1959 - First Spacecraft to Impact on the Moon
The Russian satellite Luna 2 is launched. On September 13, it becomes the first man-made object to hit the Moon. The spacecraft was sterilized to avoid contaminating the Moon with terrestrial bacteria.
- October 4, 1959 - First View of Moon's Far Side
The Russian satellite Luna 3 is launched, orbiting the moon and photographing 70 percent of the Moon's far side.
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