Questions and Answers
What significant event took place on October 4, 1957?
Launch of Sputnik
What was the outcome of the American satellite Vanguard on January 31, 1958?
It blew up on the launch pad.
Who was the first man in space and when did this happen?
Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961
What was the name of the first animal sent into space?
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What did NASA stand for and when was it signed into law?
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Who was the first American in orbit and when did this occur?
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What was the name of the first manned moon orbital launch?
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What was the name of the first American space station launched?
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What was the name of the first U.S. Mars landing mission?
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What was the name of the first manned moon landing mission?
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What significant event involving space occurred on December 15, 1965?
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What missions visited Jupiter and Saturn between August and September 1977?
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Who was the first woman in space and when did she fly?
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What tragic event occurred on January 28, 1986?
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What happened to the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003?
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When did the Cassini spacecraft arrive at Saturn?
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Who was the first man to perform an untethered spacewalk and when did it occur?
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What happened to the Hubble Space Telescope when it was deployed on April 25, 1990?
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What significant discovery did the Opportunity rover make on Mars?
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Study Notes
Early Space Exploration
- October 4, 1957: Soviets launched Sputnik, marking the world's first artificial satellite.
- November 3, 1957: First animal in space, a dog named "Laika," was sent by the Soviet Union.
- January 31, 1958: After a failed Vanguard launch, Explorer 1 became the first successful American satellite.
Significant Human Achievements in Space
- April 12, 1961: Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space, completing one orbit of Earth.
- February 20, 1962: John Glenn made history as the first American to orbit Earth, completing three orbits despite a challenging re-entry.
Milestones in Lunar Exploration
- July 16, 1969: Apollo 11 made the first manned moon landing; Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon.
- December 21, 1968: Apollo 8 achieved the first manned orbital mission around the Moon.
Advances in Space Infrastructure
- July 29, 1958: NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was established.
- May 14, 1973: Skylab became the first American space station.
- December 15, 1965: The first international space rendezvous occurred between the USA and the Soviet Union.
Notable Robotic Missions
- August 20, 1975: Viking 1 achieved the first U.S. landing on Mars.
- June 18, 1983: Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.
- June 18, 1990: Hubble Space Telescope was deployed, although it faced initial issues with mirror clarity.
- August-September 1977: Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 explored the outer planets, with Voyager 1 visiting Jupiter and Saturn while Voyager 2 covered Uranus and Neptune.
Challenges and Tragedies
- January 28, 1986: The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster resulted in the deaths of seven astronauts including teacher Christa McAuliffe.
- February 1, 2003: The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry, leading to the loss of its crew.
Later Space Exploration and Discoveries
- July 1, 2004: Cassini spacecraft arrived at Saturn after a seven-year journey, aiming to map the moon Titan.
- January 25, 2004: The Opportunity rover landed on Mars, discovering evidence of acidic water in Martian gully formations.
- February 7, 1984: Bruce McCandless completed the first untethered spacewalk, demonstrating advancements in space mobility.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key dates in space exploration with these informative flashcards. Each card highlights significant events, starting from the launch of Sputnik to the first human in space. Perfect for students and space enthusiasts alike!
