Timeline of space exploration

First clear telescopic photograph of another world: the Moon.

First telescopic observation of the night sky

Society for Studies of Interplanetary Travel founded

First man-made object to cross the Kármán line and hence first spaceflight in history.

First U.S.-designed rocket to reach edge of space

First animals in space

First intercontinental ballistic missile

First artificial satellite to reach the Moon vicinity and first artificial satellite in heliocentric orbit

First impact into another world (the Moon)

First human on the Moon, and first space launch from a celestial body other than the Earth

First multinational space station,

First space station

Last original encounter with one of the nine major planets recognized in 1981.

340-day space mission, longest recorded time in space for ISS crew members.