The 1950s

5 missions

Sputnik 1

Soviet Union1957Earth orbit

The first artificial satellite, launched October 4, 1957. Orbited Earth every 96 minutes. Its radio ...

Luna 2

Soviet Union1959Moon impact

The first human-made object to reach another celestial body. Intentionally crashed into the Moon on ...

Sputnik 2

Soviet Union1957Earth orbit

Carried Laika, the first animal to orbit Earth, launched just one month after Sputnik 1. The dog was...

Explorer 1

ABMA/JPL1958Earth orbit

The first American satellite, launched January 31, 1958. Discovered the Van Allen radiation belts, t...

Luna 3

Soviet Union1959Moon flyby

Returned the first photographs of the far side of the Moon in October 1959. Film was developed on bo...