Space Exploration

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the first man-made object in space, which sparked the start of the Space Race with the United States.

On July 20, 1976, Viking I became the first man-made object to land on Mars. As early as 1966, officials recommended that research objectives in the post-Apollo era focus on the unmanned exploration of Mars.  The Viking 1 mission – with a landing planned to coincide with the nation’s July 4, 1976, Bicentennial celebration – set off to accomplish that goal on August 20, 1975.

On July 11, 1979, Skylab, the first manned US space laboratory, returned to Earth after six years in space.

On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.  She was the third woman overall, after Soviet cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova and Svetlana Savitskaya.

Nicolaus Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473, in Thorn, Poland.

Late in the evening of January 31, 1958, the US launched its first satellite, Explorer I.

On December 25, 1758, Halley’s Comet became the first comet to be seen after the accurate predicting of its passage.

On December 14, 1962, Mariner 2 became the first spacecraft to fly by Venus.

On December 11, 1972, Apollo 17 became the last manned NASA mission to the Moon.