Space Exploration
Launch of Explorer I
Late in the evening of January 31, 1958, the US launched its first satellite, Explorer I.
Mariner 2 Flies By Venus
On December 14, 1962, Mariner 2 became the first spacecraft to fly by Venus. Mariner 2 sent back a wealth of data about the planet, revealing many facts unknown up to that point.
U.S. Lands First Men On The Moon
On July 20, 1969, the US effectively won the Space Race when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the Eagle lunar module on the Moon’s surface.
Launch of Pioneer 11
On April 5, 1973 (some sources cite April 6 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), the Pioneer 11 space probe launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
First American Orbit of Earth
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard his Friendship 7 capsule.
Mercury-Redstone 2
On January 31, 1961, Mercury-Redstone 2 launched Ham the Chimp into space.
First Light of the Hale Telescope
On January 26, 1949, the Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory first saw light. Still in use today, the Hale telescope is one of the world’s largest optical telescopes.
Birth of the Space Shuttle Program
On January 5, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed legislation authorizing the creation of America’s first space shuttle, the “world’s first reusable spacecraft.”
Launch of Apollo 8
On December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 launched from Kennedy Space Center.