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.
Events of this era
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.
Knowledge connections
- ContainsLaunch of Sputnik 1
- ContainsExplorer 1 and the Van Allen Belts
- ContainsLuna 2 Reaches the Moon
- ContainsFirst Artificial Satellite
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- 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.