The Space Race Timeline
Space Race Timeline
An overview of the missions and developments by each country.
Germany
Germany creates the V-2 missile, which was used in attacks against Britain and the first artificial object to reach space. This later inspired US and USSR innovations.
USSR
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, carried by an R-7 ICBM designed by Sergei Korolev.
USSR
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2 on an R-7, carrying the dog Laika, which did not survive the voyage.
USA
The United States launches their first satellite, the Explorer 1, on a Juno-1 rocket designed by Wernher von Braun.
USSR
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 5 on an R-7, carrying the dogs Strelka and Belka, the first animals to survive in space.
USSR
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin is launched on an improved R-7 with a modified payload for a human, becoming the first human in space.
USA
The United States puts their first man in space, Alan Shepard, on a Mercury-Redstone rocket.
USA
The United States puts their first man in orbit, John Glenn, on an Atlas-Agena rocket.
USSR
Sergei Korolev dies, marking the end of major Soviet rocket developments. His final project, the N-1 Rocket, will continue to be used but never successfully improved upon.
USSR
The Soviet Union probe Luna 9 becomes the first spacecraft to land on the moon, launched on the Soviet N-1 rocket.
USA
The United States launches their first spacecraft to land on the moon, Surveyor 1, on an Atlas Centaur rocket.
USA
The United States launches Apollo 8 with the first men to orbit the moon on the new Saturn V rocket.
USA
The United States launches Apollo 11 with the first men to walk on the moon on a Saturn V rocket.