Era · 1957–1960

Dawn of the Space Age

The opening of the space age, from the launch of Sputnik 1 to the first probes toward the Moon — the moment humanity's machines first left the Earth.

In brief

The first years of spaceflight, 1957–1960.

1957First Artificial Satellite
Sputnik 1 was the first human-made object placed in orbit around the Earth, opening the space age.
4 October 1957Launch of Sputnik 1
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, opening the space age and stunning the world with its steady radio beep from orbit.
31 January 1958Explorer 1 and the Van Allen Belts
The first successful United States satellite, Explorer 1, carries a Geiger counter that discovers the belts of trapped radiation now named for James Van Allen.
13 September 1959Luna 2 Reaches the Moon
The Soviet Luna 2 becomes the first spacecraft to reach the surface of another world, impacting the Moon.

Facts on this topic will be cited from these primary and reference sources.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

Loading…