Major Space Missions

Of course there are a LOT more we could add to these lists but I have selected a few which I think are historically important. The years are when the missions were launched.

For a more comprehensive list and more information about these go to this website     http://www.braeunig.us/space/index_top.htm

Manned Flights

Vostock 1 (USSR) 61 First manned space flight. Yuri Gagarin first man in space.
Apollo 11 (USA) 69 First lunar landing. Neil Armstrong first man on the moon.
Space shuttle Columbia (USA) 81 First shuttle orbit
Spaceship 1 (Virgin Galactic) 04 Claimed the X prize. First flight by a private company.

Unmanned missions

Sputnik 1 (USSR) 57 First man-made orbiter
Pioneer 5 (USA) 60 First deep space probe
Mariner 2 and 4 (USA) 62, 64 Successful fly-by of Venus and Mars
Pioneer 10 (USA) 72 Successful fly-by of Jupiter
Viking 1 (USA) 75 First Mars lander
Voyager 1 and 2 (USA) 77 Jupiter Saturn Uranus and Neptune
Giotto (ESA) 85 Encounter with Halley's comet
Mars Exploration Rover (USA) 03 Mars rover vehicle