Sputnik launch (1957) – In October 1957, Sputnik I was the world’s first artificial satellite to be launched into space. This breakthrough began what is now known as the Space Race, a political and scientific competition across the globe for space exploration.

First human in space (1961) – Soviet Union astronaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to go into space. Gagarin was aboard the Vostok 1, which circled Earth for 108 minutes before landing by parachute.

First woman in space (1963) – Two years after Gagarin, a 26-year-old Russian woman named Valentina Tereshkova entered space, marking the first woman to go to space with the launch of Vostok 5.

First moon landing and Apollo 11 (1969) – In June 1969, NASA completed the first ever moon landing with Apollo 11. Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were aboard the ship.

Hubble Space Telescope (1990) – With the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA gained a deeper comprehension of atmospheric composition and discovered dark energy.

International Space Station enters orbit (1998) – NASA’s International Space Station was put into orbit in 1998. Acting as a common ground, the space station allows hundreds of astronauts and scientists to work on scientific projects continuously in space.

Curiosity Rover on Mars (2011) – In 2011, NASA launched the Curiosity Rover. At the time, it was the largest and most scientifically capable rover sent to the surface of Mars and discovered that the planet may be capable of supporting human life in the future.

Artemis mission (2022) – In 2022, NASA began their Artemis mission with the launch of Artemis I. This mission is an ongoing series of missions, with the launch of Artemis II in 2026. These missions work to explore and indulge in the future of human exploration on the moon and Mars.