The First Photograph of Earth from Space
A V-2 rocket carried a camera to 105 kilometres on 24 October 1946 and took the first photograph of the Earth from space.
The Soviet Union Launches Sputnik 1
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite in orbit.
NASA Begins Operating
On October 1, 1958, NASA began operating in the United States, replacing the NACA after the Sputnik launches.
Star Trek Premieres on NBC
On September 8, 1966, Star Trek premiered on NBC; cancelled after three seasons, it grew into one of TV's biggest franchises.
Apollo 7 Returns Safely to Earth
Apollo 7 splashed down on October 22, 1968, completing the first crewed Apollo mission. It cleared the way for the flight to the Moon.
Viking 2 Lands on Mars at Utopia Planitia
On September 3, 1976, Viking 2 landed on Mars at Utopia Planitia and ran the first experiments designed to detect life there.
NASA Launches Voyager 1 Toward the Outer Planets
On September 5, 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1, which later became the first human-made object to reach interstellar space.
The Galileo Spacecraft Is Launched to Jupiter
On October 18, 1989, the Galileo spacecraft was launched aboard the shuttle Atlantis on a six year journey to Jupiter.
Mars Global Surveyor Reaches Mars Orbit
On September 11, 1997, Mars Global Surveyor entered orbit around Mars and went on to map the whole planet for nine years.
John Glenn Returns to Space at 77
On October 29, 1998, John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, returned to space at the age of 77 aboard the shuttle Discovery.
NASA Loses Contact with the Mars Climate Orbiter
On September 23, 1999, NASA lost the Mars Climate Orbiter because of a mismatch between imperial and metric units.
China Launches the First Beidou Satellite
On October 31, 2000, China launched the first satellite of the Beidou navigation system, its own satellite positioning service.
China Launches Shenzhou 7 with Three Astronauts
On September 25, 2008, China launched Shenzhou 7, and Zhai Zhigang performed the first Chinese spacewalk two days later.
India Launches Its First Moon Mission
On October 22, 2008, India launched Chandrayaan-1, its first lunar mission, which found evidence of water on the Moon.