Man in space timeline

Man In SpaceMan In Space

A timeline of some of the major events A timeline of some of the major events in man’s exploration of spacein man’s exploration of space. .

By Rebecca K. FrakerBy Rebecca K. Fraker

Man In Space TimelineMan In Space Timeline

The Role of Robert GoddardThe Role of Robert Goddard On March 16, 1926, Dr. Robert H. On March 16, 1926, Dr. Robert H.

Goddard launched the world's Goddard launched the world's first liquid-fueled rocket in first liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn, Mass., laying the Auburn, Mass., laying the foundation for rocket technology. foundation for rocket technology. Although the rocket flew for only Although the rocket flew for only 2.5 seconds, it climbed 41 feet 2.5 seconds, it climbed 41 feet and landed 184 feet away. and landed 184 feet away.

From 1930 to 1941, Goddard From 1930 to 1941, Goddard made substantial progress in the made substantial progress in the development of progressively development of progressively larger rockets, which attained larger rockets, which attained altitudes of 2,400 meters, or altitudes of 2,400 meters, or about 1.5 miles, and refined his about 1.5 miles, and refined his equipment for guidance and equipment for guidance and control, and other associated control, and other associated equipment. He filed many equipment. He filed many patents. patents.

Nazi Germany’s V-2 Rockets:1944Nazi Germany’s V-2 Rockets:1944 Before World War II, many German scientists worked on developing rockets that could get to outer space. Hitler forced them to use their knowledge to develop the first ballistic missile, which was a rocket that could carry explosives a long distance to bomb other countries.

The rocket they developed by 1944 was called the V-2. It was also the first rocket to reach the fringes of space. After WWII ended, Wernher von Braun, the scientist who led the German team who developed the V-2, came to the United States and helped to get the United States into space.

Operation Paperclip: German Operation Paperclip: German Scientists Come to USAScientists Come to USA

When the first V-2 rockets hit London late in When the first V-2 rockets hit London late in the war, Wernher von Braun reportedly said the war, Wernher von Braun reportedly said that “the rocket worked perfectly except for that “the rocket worked perfectly except for landing on the wrong planet”. Before the landing on the wrong planet”. Before the war, he had dreamed of sending rockets war, he had dreamed of sending rockets into space. Now he chose the United States into space. Now he chose the United States as most likely to use his technology to do as most likely to use his technology to do that. that.

At the end of World War II, in May of 1945, At the end of World War II, in May of 1945, German rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun German rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun arranged the surrender of his top engineers arranged the surrender of his top engineers and scientists to the United States. Other and scientists to the United States. Other scientists went to Russia. Von Braun also scientists went to Russia. Von Braun also delivered test vehicles along with rocket delivered test vehicles along with rocket plans to the US. plans to the US.

Sputnik: October 4, 1957Sputnik: October 4, 1957 After World War II, the Soviet Union and After World War II, the Soviet Union and

the United States used scientists from the United States used scientists from Germany to continue the technology Germany to continue the technology advances of the war. Both countries felt advances of the war. Both countries felt it was necessary to get into space before it was necessary to get into space before the other country. On October 4, 1957 the the other country. On October 4, 1957 the USSR shocked the world with its USSR shocked the world with its successful launch of a satellite into orbit successful launch of a satellite into orbit around the world. It was named Sputnik, around the world. It was named Sputnik, which means Companion in Russia. This which means Companion in Russia. This 183 pound (83 kg.) circled the Earth every 183 pound (83 kg.) circled the Earth every 98 minutes, beeping as it did so. 98 minutes, beeping as it did so.

Terrified that the Soviet Union was close Terrified that the Soviet Union was close to being able to launch weapons from to being able to launch weapons from space, the United States now upped its space, the United States now upped its rocket efforts. rocket efforts.

First Earthling In Space: First Earthling In Space: Nov. 1957Nov. 1957

This sweet-faced dog was sent into space by Russia on November 3, 1957. Her name was Laika, which means “Barker”. She successfully survived her trip into space and orbited the Earth. Although she had food and water, there was no way to get her back down. She probably survived only a few days due to thermal stresses and lack of oxygen.

Vanguard Rocket Explosion: Vanguard Rocket Explosion: Dec.1957Dec.1957

In 1957 the U.S. In 1957 the U.S. International Geophysical International Geophysical Year program intended to Year program intended to put a satellite in Earth orbit put a satellite in Earth orbit to conduct geodetic and to conduct geodetic and atmospheric atmospheric measurements. measurements.

A failure of the first stage A failure of the first stage caused the vehicle to blow caused the vehicle to blow up after only a few up after only a few seconds on December 6, seconds on December 6, 1957.1957.

The United States Gets Into The United States Gets Into Space: Jan. 1958Space: Jan. 1958

The launch of Explorer I The launch of Explorer I finally took a United States finally took a United States satellite into space. The 31 satellite into space. The 31 pound satellite carried pound satellite carried instruments that confirmed instruments that confirmed the existence of radiation in the existence of radiation in Earth’s atmosphere. This Earth’s atmosphere. This was named the Van Allen was named the Van Allen Radiation Belt. Radiation Belt.

This took place on January This took place on January 31, 1958.31, 1958.

National Aeronautics and Space National Aeronautics and Space Agency is FormedAgency is Formed

October 1958 is the birth date October 1958 is the birth date

of NASA. of NASA. NASA’s insignia was NASA’s insignia was

designed by an employee, designed by an employee, James Modarelli, in 1959. It James Modarelli, in 1959. It is affectionately known as is affectionately known as “the meatball”. Although “the meatball”. Although NASA decided to use a more NASA decided to use a more modern logo in the 70’s, it modern logo in the 70’s, it eventually switched back. eventually switched back. The sphere represents a The sphere represents a planet, space is shown by the planet, space is shown by the stars, the wing represents stars, the wing represents aeronautics, and there is an aeronautics, and there is an orbiting spacecraft going orbiting spacecraft going around the wing.around the wing.

Russia‘sRussia‘s Luna 1: First Manmade Luna 1: First Manmade Object to Escape EarthObject to Escape Earth

January 3, 1959January 3, 1959 Although it missed the Although it missed the

Moon, Russia's Luna 1 was Moon, Russia's Luna 1 was the first manmade object to the first manmade object to escape the grip of Earth's escape the grip of Earth's gravity. It zoomed past the gravity. It zoomed past the Moon at a distance of 6,400 Moon at a distance of 6,400 km (3, 977 miles) and km (3, 977 miles) and eventually became the first eventually became the first spacecraft to go into orbit spacecraft to go into orbit around our Sunaround our Sun. .

The First U.S. Spacecraft to Break The First U.S. Spacecraft to Break Out of OrbitOut of Orbit

Cosmic Bullet: March 1959Cosmic Bullet: March 1959 A booster rocket malfunction knocked the A booster rocket malfunction knocked the

probe Pioneer 4 off course, so it didn’t probe Pioneer 4 off course, so it didn’t get close to the moon, but it was the first get close to the moon, but it was the first U.S. spacecraft to break out of Earth’s U.S. spacecraft to break out of Earth’s orbit. orbit.

It was painted with stripes to help It was painted with stripes to help stabilize its temperature. It sent back lots stabilize its temperature. It sent back lots of information on radiation in space. of information on radiation in space.

Launched in March of 1959, it was last Launched in March of 1959, it was last detected in an orbit around the Sun in detected in an orbit around the Sun in 19691969..

First Pictures of the Far Side of the First Pictures of the Far Side of the Moon: 1959 Moon: 1959

One side of the moon is One side of the moon is permanently turned away permanently turned away from the Earth. from the Earth.

On October 7, 1959, the On October 7, 1959, the Russian Luna 3 probe Russian Luna 3 probe photographed this side for photographed this side for the first time. It was about the first time. It was about 63,500 km. away. 63,500 km. away.

Melba Roy: Human ComputerMelba Roy: Human Computer Date: Date: 01.01.196001.01.1960

In 1960, calculators and In 1960, calculators and

personal computers had not yet personal computers had not yet been invented. Greater than been invented. Greater than these devices, though, was the these devices, though, was the human brain. Melba Roy was human brain. Melba Roy was the head of a group of NASA the head of a group of NASA mathematicians who became mathematicians who became known as “computers”. known as “computers”.

Roy’s group tracked early Roy’s group tracked early satellites in Earth orbit. satellites in Earth orbit.

Her computations helped Her computations helped produce the orbital element produce the orbital element timetables by which millions saw timetables by which millions saw the satellites from Earth as they the satellites from Earth as they passed overhead. passed overhead.

Ham the Chimpanzee, first US citizen Ham the Chimpanzee, first US citizen in spacein space

January 31, 1961January 31, 1961

Ham being greeted Ham being greeted by a Naval officer.by a Naval officer.

Ham flew into space Ham flew into space on a Mercury on a Mercury Redstone rocket. Redstone rocket.

He made the 16 He made the 16 minute suborbital minute suborbital flight safely.flight safely.

First Earth Human in SpaceFirst Earth Human in SpaceRussian cosmonaut Yuri GagarinRussian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin

April 12, 1961April 12, 1961

““Light the Candle”: Light the Candle”: Freedom 7Freedom 7Alan Shepard, first American in SpaceAlan Shepard, first American in Space

May 5, 1961May 5, 1961 Alan Shepard became the Alan Shepard became the

first American in space less first American in space less than a month after Soviet than a month after Soviet Yuri Gagarin made his flight. Yuri Gagarin made his flight.

A global TV audience A global TV audience watched the broadcast as the watched the broadcast as the Freedom 7Freedom 7 took Shepard into took Shepard into a 15 suborbital flight. Later, a 15 suborbital flight. Later, in 1971, Shepard would walk in 1971, Shepard would walk on the moon in an Apollo on the moon in an Apollo mission.mission.

President Kennedy Challenges the NationPresident Kennedy Challenges the NationMay 25, 1961May 25, 1961 “We choose to go to the moon!”“We choose to go to the moon!”

President John F. Kennedy in his historic message to a joint session of the Congress, on May 25, 1961 declared, "...I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth." This goal was achieved when astronaut Neil A. Armstrong became the first human to set foot upon the Moon at 10:56 p.m. EDT, July 20, 1969. President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963; he never saw the end of the program he set in motion.

First View of Earth From MoonFirst View of Earth From MoonAugust 23, 1966August 23, 1966

This view of a crescent earth as seen from a moon orbit This view of a crescent earth as seen from a moon orbit was transmitted to Earth by the was transmitted to Earth by the United States Lunar United States Lunar Orbiter I Orbiter I and received at the NASA tracking station at and received at the NASA tracking station at Robledo De Chavela near Madrid, Spain. This was Robledo De Chavela near Madrid, Spain. This was photographed when the spacecraft was on its 16th photographed when the spacecraft was on its 16th orbit and just about to pass behind the Moon.orbit and just about to pass behind the Moon.

Launch Pad Fire: Apollo 1Launch Pad Fire: Apollo 1January 27, 1967January 27, 1967

Although the start of the fire could never be determined, the Although the start of the fire could never be determined, the astronauts' deaths were attributed to a wide range of lethal design astronauts' deaths were attributed to a wide range of lethal design hazards in the early Apollo command module. Among these were hazards in the early Apollo command module. Among these were the use of an oxygen atmosphere for the test, wiring and the use of an oxygen atmosphere for the test, wiring and plumbing flaws, inflammable materials in the cockpit, an inward-plumbing flaws, inflammable materials in the cockpit, an inward-opening hatch that would not open in this kind of an emergency opening hatch that would not open in this kind of an emergency and the flight suits worn by the astronauts.and the flight suits worn by the astronauts.

Man Steps on the Moon: Apollo 11Man Steps on the Moon: Apollo 11Launched from Earth: July 16, 1969Launched from Earth: July 16, 1969

First steps on moon by Commander Neil Alden First steps on moon by Commander Neil Alden Armstrong: July 20, 1969 Armstrong: July 20, 1969

The Apollo 11 mission was the first manned mission to The Apollo 11 mission was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. It was the third human voyage to the land on the Moon. It was the third human voyage to the moon. Command Module Pilot Michael Collins stayed moon. Command Module Pilot Michael Collins stayed behind in the command module while Commander behind in the command module while Commander Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr. Armstrong and Lunar Module Pilot “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr. landed in the “Eagle”.landed in the “Eagle”.

The Challenger Accident : The Challenger Accident : First Teacher in Space First Teacher in Space January 28, January 28,

19861986 In 1986 America was shocked by the destruction of the space In 1986 America was shocked by the destruction of the space

shuttle Challenger, and the death of its seven crew members. shuttle Challenger, and the death of its seven crew members. 73 seconds into its flight, the spacecraft disintegrated over the 73 seconds into its flight, the spacecraft disintegrated over the

Atlantic Ocean. All seven astronauts, including the first teacher in Atlantic Ocean. All seven astronauts, including the first teacher in space Christa McAuliffe, were killed. space Christa McAuliffe, were killed.

This accident put the shuttle program on hold for years, delaying This accident put the shuttle program on hold for years, delaying the launch of the Hubble Telescope.the launch of the Hubble Telescope.

Russian Space Station MirRussian Space Station MirBegun 1976 on Earth—first docking Begun 1976 on Earth—first docking

March 15, 1986March 15, 1986 Under pressure to launch, Russia put Under pressure to launch, Russia put

the the MirMir in orbit without any Soyuz in orbit without any Soyuz spacecraft or modules to launch to spacecraft or modules to launch to the station at first. Leonid Kizim and the station at first. Leonid Kizim and Vladimir Soloyyov first docked with Vladimir Soloyyov first docked with the Mir Space Station on March 15, the Mir Space Station on March 15, 1986.1986.

Starting in March 1995, seven US Starting in March 1995, seven US astronauts spent 28 months on Mir. astronauts spent 28 months on Mir. During this time several serious During this time several serious emergencies occurred, including a emergencies occurred, including a small fire in February 1997 and a small fire in February 1997 and a collision in June. Both times the collision in June. Both times the station was evacuated. station was evacuated.

In June 1998, US Mir astronaut Andy In June 1998, US Mir astronaut Andy Thomas left the station aboard the Thomas left the station aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Space Shuttle Discovery.

The Station was deliberately taken The Station was deliberately taken

out of orbit and allowed to out of orbit and allowed to disintegrate on March 23, 2001.disintegrate on March 23, 2001.

Ten Thousand Galaxies: The Hubble Ten Thousand Galaxies: The Hubble Space TelescopeSpace Telescope

April 25, 1990April 25, 1990

Since the 1940s, astronomers dreamed of a space telescope. Earth Since the 1940s, astronomers dreamed of a space telescope. Earth telescopes could not see clearly through the atmosphere. After telescopes could not see clearly through the atmosphere. After many ups and downs, the telescope finally went into space on April many ups and downs, the telescope finally went into space on April 25, 1990. Its first pictures were blurry, and later it was given 25, 1990. Its first pictures were blurry, and later it was given corrective lenses. The Hubble has sent back the most incredible corrective lenses. The Hubble has sent back the most incredible pictures, and the Universe is far larger than we imagined.pictures, and the Universe is far larger than we imagined.

Space Shuttle Columbia TragedySpace Shuttle Columbia TragedyFebruary 1, 2003February 1, 2003

The Space Shuttle Columbia completed a successful mission and was The Space Shuttle Columbia completed a successful mission and was returning to Earth when it disintegrated over the United States. The wing returning to Earth when it disintegrated over the United States. The wing had been slightly damaged by foam insulation during lift-off. The had been slightly damaged by foam insulation during lift-off. The superheated gases of reentry caused a left wing plasma intrusion and the superheated gases of reentry caused a left wing plasma intrusion and the shuttle was torn apart. All seven astronauts were killed. Debris was shuttle was torn apart. All seven astronauts were killed. Debris was scattered halfway across the United States. For weeks, civilians and scattered halfway across the United States. For weeks, civilians and officials hunted for pieces of the Columbia. The Columbia carried an officials hunted for pieces of the Columbia. The Columbia carried an Israeli astronaut as well as one from India.Israeli astronaut as well as one from India.

International Space StationInternational Space StationIn-orbit assembly began in 1998In-orbit assembly began in 1998

The space station is in a low The space station is in a low Earth orbit and can be seen Earth orbit and can be seen from Earth. It is only 217 miles from Earth. It is only 217 miles above the surface of the earth, above the surface of the earth, and completes almost 16 orbits and completes almost 16 orbits a day. It is a joint project a day. It is a joint project among the space agencies of among the space agencies of the United States, Russia, the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada and eleven other Japan, Canada and eleven other European countries. Brazil also European countries. Brazil also participates, and China has participates, and China has expressed interest. Completion expressed interest. Completion date is in 2010, and it has been date is in 2010, and it has been continually staffed since continually staffed since November 2, 2000. It has been November 2, 2000. It has been visited by astronauts from 16 visited by astronauts from 16 countries, and entertained the countries, and entertained the first five “space tourists”.first five “space tourists”.

There are many other highlights of There are many other highlights of man’s journey into space.man’s journey into space.

Look for them!Look for them!