Space Travel

First Dog in Space Laika was the first dog sent into orbit around the Earth. Laika was the first dog sent into orbit around the Earth. Laika Sputnik 2, Russian, November 3, 1957 Sputnik 2, Russian, November 3, 1957 Laika was originally thought to have survived in Earth orbit for four days, dying in space when the batteries to the cabin over-heated. Laika was originally thought to have survived in Earth orbit for four days, dying in space when the batteries to the cabin over-heated. In 2002, we realized that Laika died 5 to 7 hours into the flight, from overheating and stress. In 2002, we realized that Laika died 5 to 7 hours into the flight, from overheating and stress.

More Dogs Chernushka. a few mice and a guinea pig - launched March 9, Chernushka. a few mice and a guinea pig - launched March 9, Zvezdochka - launched on March 25, 1961 and orbited once in final preparation for the Vostok 1 mission. Zvezdochka - launched on March 25, 1961 and orbited once in final preparation for the Vostok 1 mission. Verterok and Ugolyok were launched on February 22, 1966, in the satellite Kosmos 110. This was a 22- day mission. Verterok and Ugolyok were launched on February 22, 1966, in the satellite Kosmos 110. This was a 22- day mission.

Commemorative Stamps

Monkeynauts Gordo the squirrel monkey. December 13, Gordo the squirrel monkey. December 13, Able and Baker, rhesus and squirrel monkey. May 28, Able and Baker, rhesus and squirrel monkey. May 28, 1959.

First Cosmonaut Colonel Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin Colonel Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin March 9, March 27, 1968 March 9, March 27, 1968 Soviet human in space Soviet human in space Gagarin piloted the Vostok 1 mission which launched April 12, His flight lasted 108 minutes and orbited the Earth once. The spacecraft was recovered later that day in the Saratov region of the Soviet Union. Gagarin piloted the Vostok 1 mission which launched April 12, His flight lasted 108 minutes and orbited the Earth once. The spacecraft was recovered later that day in the Saratov region of the Soviet Union.

First Woman Cosmonaut Colonel-Engineer Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova Colonel-Engineer Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova (1937- ) (1937- ) Soviet woman in space Soviet woman in space She was on the Vostok 5 mission which launched on June 16, 1963, and orbited the Earth 48 times. The flight lasted 2.95 days. The spacecraft was recovered on June 19, 1963, in the Soviet Union She was on the Vostok 5 mission which launched on June 16, 1963, and orbited the Earth 48 times. The flight lasted 2.95 days. The spacecraft was recovered on June 19, 1963, in the Soviet Union

First American in Space Alan B. Shepard Jr. Alan B. Shepard Jr. ( ) ( ) This astronaut briefly flew into space on May 5, 1961, in Freedom 7, a Mercury space capsule. This astronaut briefly flew into space on May 5, 1961, in Freedom 7, a Mercury space capsule. The capsule splashed down at sea and was retrieved by helicopter. The capsule splashed down at sea and was retrieved by helicopter.

First American Woman in Space Sally Kristen Ride Sally Kristen Ride ( May 26, ) ( May 26, ) Dr. Ride's first trip into space was aboard NASA's space shuttle Challenger (STS-7) in 1983 (June 18-June 24). Her second (and last) space flight was the eight-day Challenger (STS 41-G) mission (in October, 1984). Dr. Ride's first trip into space was aboard NASA's space shuttle Challenger (STS-7) in 1983 (June 18-June 24). Her second (and last) space flight was the eight-day Challenger (STS 41-G) mission (in October, 1984).

First Person to Walk on Moon Neil Alden Armstrong Neil Alden Armstrong (1930- ) (1930- ) Apollo 11 mission, which took off on July 16, Armstrong and Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin, Jr., landed on the moon on July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which took off on July 16, Armstrong and Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin, Jr., landed on the moon on July 20, 1969

First Teacher Chosen for Space Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe ( ) ( ) NASA's Space Shuttle Challenger Mission 51-L exploded only 73 seconds after its launch on the morning of January 28, NASA's Space Shuttle Challenger Mission 51-L exploded only 73 seconds after its launch on the morning of January 28, 1986.

Challenger Accident 1986

First African American Woman Mae C. Jemison Mae C. Jemison (October 17, ) (October 17, ) Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-47, Spacelab-J) as the Mission Specialist; the mission lifted off on September 12, 1992 and landed on September 20, Space Shuttle Endeavor (STS-47, Spacelab-J) as the Mission Specialist; the mission lifted off on September 12, 1992 and landed on September 20, 1992.

First Space Station Salyut 1 Salyut 1 Launched on April 19, 1971 from Baikonur. Launched on April 19, 1971 from Baikonur meters long and about 4.2 meters across 13.1 meters long and about 4.2 meters across

International Space Station USA Russia Japan Europe Canada Italy Brazil

Future Space Stations

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