Human Spaceflight & Orbital Stations: Foundational Epochs & Key Milestones
Encyclopedia/1. The Cosmos & The Natural World/3. Astronomy & Planetary Science • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Historical events timeline.
Chronological Storyline (39 Milestones)
1903 CE
Tsiolkovsky Publishes Rocket Equation
Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky publishes 'The Exploration of Cosmic Space by Means of Reaction Devices', introducing the rocket equation that becomes foundational for astronautics. #space #history
Tsiolkovsky Publishes Rocket Equation By Unknown author - http://21mm.ru/news/lichnost/preziraemyy-za-mechtu-kem-byl-uchenyy-konstantin-tsiolkovskiy-/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=93935880
Mar 16, 1926 CE
Goddard Launches First Liquid-Fueled Rocket
American Robert Goddard launches the world's first liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts, paving the way for modern rocketry. #space #history
Goddard Launches First Liquid-Fueled Rocket By NASA - Great Images in NASA Description, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6462082
Oct 3, 1942 CE
First Successful V-2 Rocket Test
Germany's V-2 rocket becomes the first man-made object to reach space, reaching an altitude of 84.5 km. It later serves as the basis for post-war rocketry in the US and USSR. #space #history
First Successful V-2 Rocket Test By AElfwine - Uploaded as thumbnail on 16:49, 26 Dec 2004 by User:Mschlindwein. Re-uploaded with original size and correct name on 13.06.2005 by User:Avatar., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=185063551
Oct 4, 1957 CE
Sputnik 1 Launched
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, sparking the Space Race and leading to advances in human spaceflight. #space #history
Sputnik 1 Launched By Andrey Butko - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4894894
Nov 3, 1957 CE
Laika Becomes First Animal in Orbit
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2 with dog Laika, the first animal to orbit Earth, gathering data on life in space. #space #animals
Laika Becomes First Animal in Orbit By Музей космонавтики / Главархив Москвы - https://www.mos.ru/news/item/94754073/, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=155196253
Apr 12, 1961 CE
Gagarin Becomes First Human in Space
Yuri Gagarin orbits Earth aboard Vostok 1, becoming the first human in space and a global icon. #space #history
Gagarin Becomes First Human in Space By Александр Моклецов / СовИнформБюро - Мигулин С. И. К 80-летию со дня рождения первого космонавта Земли Ю.А. Гагарина. Министерство обороны Российской Федерации., РИА Новости Медиабанк, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=187735892
May 5, 1961 CE
Shepard Becomes First American in Space
Alan Shepard completes a suborbital flight on Freedom 7, becoming the first American in space. #space #history
Shepard Becomes First American in Space By NASA - https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a14/ap14-S71-51258.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52848212
Feb 20, 1962 CE
Glenn Orbits Earth
John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7, a milestone in US human spaceflight. #space #history
Glenn Orbits Earth By U.S. Senate Historical Office - Email from photo historian from the U.S. Senate Historical Office, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10761551
Jun 16, 1963 CE
Tereshkova Becomes First Woman in Space
Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova flies aboard Vostok 6, becoming the first woman in space. #space #women
Tereshkova Becomes First Woman in Space By This file comes from the website of the President of the Russian Federation and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. In short: you are free to distribute and modify the file as long as you attribute www.kremlin.ru. Note: Works published on site before April 8, 2015 are also licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. The permission letter from the Press Secretary for the President of the Russian Federation is available here. - http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/73585/photos/75212, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=163449970
Mar 18, 1965 CE
Leonov Performs First Spacewalk
Alexei Leonov exits the Voskhod 2 spacecraft for the first human spacewalk, lasting 12 minutes. #space #history
Leonov Performs First Spacewalk By This image or video was catalogued by Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: S74-20824. - Description page (archive); direct link to file (archive of file), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83032040
Mar 16, 1966 CE
Gemini 8 Achieves First Docking
Gemini 8, piloted by Neil Armstrong and David Scott, performs the first docking of two spacecraft in orbit. #space #history
Gemini 8 Achieves First Docking By "Gemini VIII, This is Houston Flight (1966)" - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGG9-EYGS58 – View/save archived versions on archive.org, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147783276
Dec 21, 1968 CE
Apollo 8 Orbits the Moon
Apollo 8 becomes the first crewed spacecraft to orbit the Moon, with astronauts Borman, Lovell, and Anders. #space #moon
Apollo 8 Orbits the Moon By NASA/Bill Anders - http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/a410/AS8-14-2383HR.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=306267
Jul 20, 1969 CE
Apollo 11 Lands on the Moon
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to walk on the Moon, a historic achievement in human spaceflight. #space #moon
Apollo 11 Lands on the Moon By Neil A. Armstrong - https://tothemoon.im-ldi.com/gallery/Apollo/11/7#AS11-40-5903, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=170640780
Apr 13, 1970 CE
Apollo 13 Accident
An oxygen tank explosion on Apollo 13 forces the crew to abort the Moon landing and return safely using the lunar module as a lifeboat. #space #history
Apollo 13 Accident By NASA - http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo13/html/s69-60662.html http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/apollo/apollo-13/apollo-13.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=969578
Apr 19, 1971 CE
Salyut 1 Launched
The Soviet Union launches Salyut 1, the world's first space station, inaugurating long-duration orbital living. #space #station
Salyut 1 Launched By Salyut_program_insignia.jpg: derivative work: AmishSexy (talk) - Salyut_program_insignia.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5986375
Jun 30, 1971 CE
Soyuz 11 Crew Dies During Reentry
The Soyuz 11 crew becomes the first humans to die in space after a cabin pressure loss during reentry, leading to safety improvements. #space #tragedy
Soyuz 11 Crew Dies During Reentry By USSR Post - Scanned 600 dpi by User Matsievsky from personal collection, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38997538
May 14, 1973 CE
Skylab Launched
The United States launches Skylab, its first space station, hosting three crews for scientific experiments. #space #station
Skylab Launched By NASA (Crew of Skylab 4) - grin.hq.nasa.gov at the Wayback Machine (archived 2001-02-22), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12043872
Jul 17, 1975 CE
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project
An American Apollo and Soviet Soyuz spacecraft dock in orbit, symbolizing détente and international cooperation in space. #space #history
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project By NASA - NASA Human Space Flight Gallery (image link), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3156351
Aug 30, 1983 CE
Bluford Becomes First African American in Space
Guion Bluford flies aboard Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-8), becoming the first African American in space. #space #diversity
Bluford Becomes First African American in Space By NASA; retouched by Cofeeandcrumbs - description page [ direct link ] (older source description page), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7474003
Feb 7, 1984 CE
First Untethered Spacewalk
Bruce McCandless performs the first untethered spacewalk using the Manned Maneuvering Unit on STS-41-B. #space #history
First Untethered Spacewalk By NASA - http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/mccandless-b.html https://science.ksc.nasa.gov/mirrors/images/images/pao/STS41B/10061692.htm (direct link), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=346721
Apr 3, 1984 CE
Sharma Becomes First Indian in Space
Rakesh Sharma flies aboard Soyuz T-11 to the Salyut 7 space station, becoming the first Indian in space. #space #India
Sharma Becomes First Indian in Space By Subhav Sharma - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6207250
Oct 5, 1984 CE
Garneau Becomes First Canadian in Space
Marc Garneau flies aboard Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-41-G), becoming the first Canadian astronaut. #space #Canada
Garneau Becomes First Canadian in Space By International Maritime Organization - https://www.flickr.com/photos/imo-un/42748534304/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70978669
Feb 20, 1986 CE
Mir Space Station Launched
The Soviet Union launches the core module of Mir, which becomes the first modular space station and a long-duration research platform. #space #station
Mir Space Station Launched By NASA - https://archive.org/details/STS089-340-035, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18427023
Sep 12, 1992 CE
Mohri Becomes First Japanese Astronaut
Mamoru Mohri flies aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-47), becoming the first Japanese astronaut in space. #space #Japan
Mohri Becomes First Japanese Astronaut By NASA - NASA.gov http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-99/html/s97_05508.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=160779607
Nov 20, 1998 CE
ISS Zarya Module Launched
The Russian Zarya module is launched, the first component of the International Space Station, initiating the largest international space project. #space #ISS )
ISS Zarya Module Launched By Unknown author - https://images.nasa.gov/details/sts088-719-059 http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-88/html/sts088-719-059.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48237
Nov 2, 2000 CE
First Crew Arrives at ISS
Expedition 1 (Bill Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko, Sergei Krikalev) becomes the first long-duration crew aboard the International Space Station. #space #ISS
First Crew Arrives at ISS By NASA - http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/assembly/html/s97e5009.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4196311
Apr 28, 2001 CE
First Space Tourist
Dennis Tito becomes the first space tourist, paying for a trip to the ISS aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. #space #tourism
First Space Tourist By NASA - http://nix.ksc.nasa.gov/info;jsessionid=2ooqgoj4jqqjb?id=KSC-03PD-1489&orgid=5, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=349567
Oct 15, 2003 CE
China's First Human Spaceflight
Yang Liwei orbits Earth aboard Shenzhou 5, making China the third country to independently send humans into space. #space #China
China's First Human Spaceflight By Shujianyang - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=134224775
Sep 27, 2008 CE
First Chinese Spacewalk
Zhai Zhigang performs the first Chinese spacewalk during Shenzhou 7 mission. #space #China
First Chinese Spacewalk By 中国新闻社 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFkHyl1NS0 – View/save archived versions on archive.org, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122166753
Jul 21, 2011 CE
Last Space Shuttle Flight
Space Shuttle Atlantis lands, ending the STS program after 30 years of human spaceflight. #space #shuttle
Last Space Shuttle Flight By Bill Ingalls - NASA, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15858173
Sep 29, 2011 CE
Tiangong-1 Launched
China launches Tiangong-1, its first space station module, serving as a test bed for rendezvous and docking. #space #China
Tiangong-1 Launched By Leebrandoncremer - Personal Photograph Previously published: No, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51692069
Jun 16, 2012 CE
Liu Yang Becomes First Chinese Woman in Space
Liu Yang flies aboard Shenzhou 9, becoming the first Chinese woman in space. #space #China #women )
Liu Yang Becomes First Chinese Woman in Space By Manfred Werner (Tsui) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26669809
May 30, 2020 CE
First Crewed Dragon Flight
SpaceX's Crew Dragon Demo-2 carries astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the ISS, restoring US human launch capability. #space #SpaceX
First Crewed Dragon Flight By Joel Kowsky - https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/49953835192/in/photostream/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=90807538
Apr 29, 2021 CE
Tiangong Space Station Core Module Launched
China launches the Tianhe core module of its Tiangong space station, beginning full-scale space station operations. #space #China )
Jul 11, 2021 CE
Virgin Galactic First Crewed Flight
Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity completes its first fully crewed test flight (Unity 22) with Richard Branson, reaching suborbital space. #space #commercial
Virgin Galactic First Crewed Flight By Ronrosano - Photo shot on site with Nikon D800E + 20mm f2.8 lens Previously published: https://twitter.com/ronrosano/status/701518497814188032, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47101678
Jul 20, 2021 CE
Blue Origin First Crewed Flight
Blue Origin's New Shepard flies its first crewed mission (NS-16), including Jeff Bezos and Wally Funk, reaching suborbital space. #space #commercial
Sep 15, 2021 CE
Inspiration4: First All-Civilian Orbital Flight
SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission sends the first all-civilian crew into orbit, raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. #space #commercial
Inspiration4: First All-Civilian Orbital Flight By U.S. Space Force Photo by Staff Sgt. JT Armstrong - https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6841283/inspiration4-launch, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110119291
Nov 16, 2022 CE
Artemis I Uncrewed Moon Mission
NASA launches Artemis I, an uncrewed test flight of the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft, paving the way for future human Moon missions. #space #moon
Artemis I Uncrewed Moon Mission By NASA - https://images.nasa.gov/details-art001e000268, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=125982381
May 21, 2023 CE
First Woman to Command ISS? (already happened earlier: Peggy Whitson 2007) Actually let's
Peggy Whitson becomes the first woman to command the International Space Station during Expedition 16. #space #women
First Woman to Command ISS? (already happened earlier: Peggy Whitson 2007) Actually let's By NASA, Joel Kowsky - https://images.nasa.gov/details/NHQ201803020004, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=135833731
