- February 14, 2000 - First Detailed Study of an Asteroid
The U.S. Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft arrives at the asteroid Eros. It begins a year-long mission to study the gravity and composition of Eros in addition to sending back detailed images of the asteroid's surface. Eros is an S-class asteroid approximately 20 miles (33 km) and 8 miles (13 km) wide. The Valentine's day arrival date is most appropriate for an asteroid named after the Greek god of love.
- February 12, 2001 - First Landing on an Asteroid
The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft is succesfully landed on the surface of the asteroid Eros. NEAR sends back unprecidented images of the asteroid's surface during its hour-long descent. NEAR had been in orbit around Eros since February 14, 2000. It was never designed to land on the asteroid. The landing is a last minute idea to get some additional data as the spacecraft as it runs out of fuel and nears the end of its mission.
- February 14, 2001 - 100th U.S. Spacewalk
U.S. astronauts Thomas Jones and Robert Curbeam Jr. make history as they perform the 100th spacewalk in the United States space program. The spacewalk is part of the installation procedure for the new Destiny module of the International Space Station.
- March 11, 2001 - New Spacewalk Record
U.S. Shuttle astronauts Susan Helms and Jim Voss set a new endurance record as they install the Leonardo module aboard the International Space Station. The total time spent in space is 8 hours 56 minutes.
- April 28, 2001 - First Tourist in Space
American businessman Dennis Tito becomes the first tourist to fly into space. His 20 million dollar offer is rejected by the United States, but is later welcomed by the Russian space program. A Soyuz space capsule delivers the space tourist and the Russian crew to the International Space Station, where Tito is given limited access to the station.
