Events with tag - Space History

October 7, 1958

Project Mercury Launch

NASA initiates Project Mercury, America's first human spaceflight program, marking the beginning of the U.S. space program and its response to the Soviet Space Race following Sputnik 1's launch.

April 12, 1961

First Human in Space

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space, completing a 108-minute orbital flight aboard Vostok 1 spacecraft and marking a pivotal moment in human spaceflight history.

February 20, 1962

John Glenn's Historic Orbital Flight

On February 20, 1962, astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7 spacecraft, completing three orbits during a 4-hour and 55-minute mission that marked a crucial milestone in the Space Race.

February 20, 1962

Mercury-Atlas 6: First American Orbital Flight

On February 20, 1962, astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7 spacecraft during the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission. The historic flight lasted 4 hours and 55 minutes, completing three orbits around Earth at an altitude of 162 miles.

April 8, 1964

NASA Project Gemini Launch

NASA launched Project Gemini as its second human spaceflight program, conducting 12 missions between 1964-1966. The program served as a crucial bridge between Mercury and Apollo missions, developing essential capabilities for lunar exploration.

July 20, 1969

Apollo 11 Moon Landing

On July 20, 1969, NASA's Apollo 11 mission achieved the first human landing on the Moon, with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin becoming the first humans to walk on lunar surface while Michael Collins orbited above.

January 5, 1972

NASA Space Shuttle Program Approved

President Richard Nixon officially authorized NASA's Space Shuttle program, marking the beginning of reusable spacecraft era with a $5.5 billion development plan aimed at revolutionizing space transportation.

December 7, 1972

Apollo 17: NASA's Final Moon Landing

Apollo 17, launched on December 7, 1972, was NASA's final lunar mission of the Apollo program. Led by Commander Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt, it set multiple records including the longest surface stay and most extensive moonwalks in the program's history.

May 14, 1973

Launch of Skylab

NASA launched Skylab, America's first space station, using a modified Saturn V rocket from Kennedy Space Center. The 169,950-pound orbital workshop marked the beginning of permanent human presence in space.

August 20, 1975

Viking 1 Launch

NASA launched Viking 1, its first successful Mars landing mission, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The spacecraft consisted of an orbiter and lander, marking the beginning of a revolutionary Mars exploration mission that would provide groundbreaking scientific discoveries about the Red Planet.

September 5, 1977

Launch of Voyager 1

NASA launched Voyager 1 spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, Florida, beginning an unprecedented journey of space exploration that would later become the farthest human-made object from Earth.

January 28, 1986

Challenger Disaster

The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch from Kennedy Space Center, killing all seven crew members including the first teacher to go to space. The disaster was caused by O-ring seal failure due to cold temperatures.

November 20, 1998

ISS Construction Begins

The International Space Station's construction officially began with the launch of its first module, Zarya, from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome. This historic event marked the start of humanity's largest international cooperative space project.

February 1, 2003

Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster

The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere on February 1, 2003, killing all seven crew members. The disaster was caused by damage to the shuttle's thermal protection system during launch and led to a 29-month suspension of NASA's Space Shuttle program.

September 28, 2008

SpaceX Falcon 1 First Orbital Launch

SpaceX made history when its Falcon 1 became the first privately developed liquid-fuel rocket to reach Earth's orbit from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, marking a revolutionary moment in commercial spaceflight.

July 21, 2011

Final Space Shuttle Mission

Space Shuttle Atlantis completed its final mission STS-135, marking the end of NASA's 30-year Space Shuttle Program. The mission delivered crucial supplies to the International Space Station before making its historic final landing.

May 30, 2020

SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2

Historic SpaceX mission that launched NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station, becoming the first commercial spacecraft to carry humans to orbit and marking America's return to human spaceflight from U.S. soil since 2011.