Chronology of the Moon Race (original) (raw)
Events not announced publicly at the time are shown in gray type.
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**USSR
**Year
**USA
May 15: The R-7 ICBM (failed after 20 seconds in flight).
July 16: During a meeting with government officials, Korolev and Glushko pitch the idea of developing a super-heavy rocket.
Oct. 4: The R-7 rocket launched the world's first artificial satellite -- Sputnik-1.
Nov. 3: The R-7 rocket launched Sputnik-2, carrying dog Laika.
1957
March 1: The first launch attempt of a Jupiter missile fails.
May 1: US Navy conducts a test launch of a Vanguard rocket.
Oct. 23: US Navy conducts a test launch of a Vanguard rocket.
Dec. 1: Based on research by Harvey Allen, NASA engineer Max Faget proposes a blunt conical shape for a US piloted spacecraft.
Dec. 6: US Navy attempts to launch the Vanguard (TV-3) satellite. The launcher fails after two seconds in flight.
May 15: Sputnik-3 enters orbit.
June 30: The Soviet Government signs a decree approving the studies of nuclear rocket propulsion.
Sept. 23: The first attempt to launch a E-1 (Luna) probe fails, as its rocket explodes 93 seconds after launch.
Oct. 12: The second attempt to launch E-1 (Luna) probe fails, as its rocket explodes 104 seconds after launch.
Dec. 4: The third attempt to launch E-1 (Luna) probe fails after 245 seconds in flight.
1958
E1 launch
Pioneer-1
Pioneer-3
Jan. 31: Explorer-1, the first US satellite reaches orbit.
March 18: NACA completes a research memorandum on an astronaut-carrying capsule. (Not released until July 1961)
April 27: The seven astronauts selected for the Mercury project begin their first official work day at NASA.
Aug. 15: Wernher von Braun and his team in Huntsville, Ala., receives an assignment to develop a heavy launcher, later designated Saturn-1.
Aug. 17: A Thor-Able rocket, carrying US Air Force's Pioneer lunar probe, explodes 77 seconds after launch.
Oct. 1: The US Congress approves the creation of NASA (to succeed NACA).
Oct. 7: NASA Administrator Dr. T. Keith Glennan receives the initial proposal for the piloted spacecraft.
Oct. 8: Keith Glennan establishes the Space Task Group, STG, to lead NASA's manned space flight effort.
Oct. 11-12: A Thor-Able rocket failes to deliver the Pioneer-1 probe into the lunar orbit.
Nov. 5: Robert R. Gilruth is appointed Project Manager and Charles J. Donlan to be his assistant at the helm of NASA's Space Task Group, STG.
Nov. 8: The Thor-Able rocket failes to deliver Pioneer-2 probe toward the Moon.
Dec. 6-7: The Juno-2 rocket failes to deliver Pioneer-3 probe toward the Moon.
Jan. 2: Luna-1 (E-1), the first spacecraft to escape Earth orbit, is launched.
June 18: Launch of the E-1A lunar impact mission fails at T+152 seconds due to flight control problem.
Sept. 12: The USSR launches the Luna-2 probe, the first man-made object to impact the Moon.
Sept. 14: Luna-2 successfully impacts the lunar surface.
Oct. 4: Luna-3, the first man-made object to photograph far side of the Moon, launches.
Oct. 7: The USSR obtains first photos of the Moon's far side.
Dec. 10: The Soviet Government issues a decree, authorizing a variety of space development programs, including the 8K78 (Molniya) launcher, a closed-cycle engine. The N1 program was not approved, however.
Dec. 30: Korolev approves a preliminary design of three versions of the heavy rockets with nuclear engines.
January: NASA's Space Task Group selects a contractor for the development of the Mercury spacecraft.
March 3-4: A Juno-2 rocket sent the Pioneer-4 probe toward the Moon.
April: NASA selects seven astronauts to fly the Mercury spacecraft.
May 25-26: NASA's newly formed committee on manned space flight conducts its first meeting considering a lunar expedition as the ultimate goal of the program.
June 8: Wernher von Braun and his group at Redstone Arsenal issue a first part of the study of a "Lunar Military Outpost" for the US Army, called Project Horizon. The Saturn-I and Saturn-II rockets were to resupply the base. (138)
June 19: As a response to Soviet space firsts, the US Air Force puts forward Project A119, proposing to detonate a nuclear charge on the Moon so it could be visible on Earth.
Nov. 4: NASA's Wallops center launches Little Joe-1A rocket to test emergency escape system for the Mercury spacecraft.
Nov. 26: The Atlas-Able rocket, carrying Pioneer-5 (P-3) lunar orbiter, fails to reach orbit.
December: NASA publishes a long-term space exploration plan envisioning first human missions to the lunar vicinity during the 1965-1967 period and lunar landing in the 1970s.
January: In a meeting with leaders of the rocket industry, Nikita Khrushchev authorizes the development of an array of projects, aimed at militarization of space, among them the N1 rocket.
Jan. 15: Korolev signs a plan for the development of the 8K78 (Molniya) launcher within next seven months. (84)
Feb. 12: Glushko proposes the R-20 super-heavy booster. (84)
March 14: Korolev reports to the government about his readiness to submit a proposal about heavy launcher. (84)
March 16: The first group of 20 pilots starts training for manned space flight. (84)
March 24: During a meeting in Tyuratam, designers discussed and accepted Korolev's proposals for the configuration of the N1 rocket. (84)
April 15: The attempt to launch the E-3 lunar probe failed due its launcher failure.
April 19: The attempt to launch the E-3 lunar probe failes on pad.
June 20: The Soviet rocket industry adopts an ambitious plan for space exploration, including manned missions to the Moon, Mars and Venus.
June 23: The government issues a decree, authorizing a preliminary design of the N1 super-heavy rocket during 1961-1963.
Sept. 9: Korolev signs an addendum to the experimental project of a heavy launcher, entitled "On possible characteristics of space rockets employing hydrogen."
Sept. 23: A crucial meeting on the N1 design is held in Baikonur during a Martian launch campaign.
Sept. 27: In a letter, Korolev urges Soviet officials to develop liquid hydrogen rocketry.
1960
A US project of the Nova rocket
Nov. 21 launch failure
April 26: NASA awards a contract to Douglas Aircraft Company to build the S-IV stage for the Saturn-1 rocket.
April 29: The eight-engine 1st stage for the Saturn-1 rocket test fires at a bench facility in Huntsville, Ala. (10)
May 5: The Jet Propulsion Laboratory announces details of launch Ranger spacecraft for a hard landing on the surface of the Moon.
May: The Apollo project is presented to the US President Eisenhower.
July 1: The US Army formally transfers 5,500 employees from its Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, to NASA's newly formed Marshall Space Flight Center, MSFC, led by Wernher von Braun to focus on the development of space launchers.
July 25: NASA approves the name "Apollo" for its lunar expedition project.
July 29: At its conference with the industry, NASA declares the start of Project Apollo with the goal of human expedition to the Moon.
Sept. 13: The Space Task Group meets to discuss requirements for companies that would submit bids for Project Apollo.
Sept. 25: The Atlas-Able 5A rocket fails to deliver the Pioneer-6 (P-30) lunar orbiter on its assigned trajectory.
Oct. 25: NASA selects General Dynamics, General Electric and Martin to conduct individual feasibility studies of a piloted spacecraft for the Apollo project.
Nov. 21: The first attempt to launch the Mercury-Redstone system ends in on-pad failure, but escape rocket saves the unmanned capsule.
Dec. 15: The Atlas-Able 5B rocket carrying Pioneer-6 (P-31) lunar orbiter explodes shortly after launch.
Dec. 16: A presidential advisory team issues a sceptical conclusion about the lunar exploration program.
Dec. 20: The National Security Council reviews the potential lunar program, while President Eisenhower remains skeptical.
John C. Houbolt from NASA's Langley Research Center advocates a plan of lunar expedition involving a rendezvous in the lunar orbit between a mother ship and a lander. (10)
Jan. 15: Korolev writes a letter to Rudnev proposing an N1-launched military space station. (84)
Jan. 31: "Extended" Council of Chief Designers on the N1 design is held in Baikonur.
Feb. 15: Top military officials send a letter to the Soviet government urging the Kremlin to limit the nation's civilian space program conducted at the expense of the military buildup.
March 26: Korolev writes to Ustinov that a four-stage (Molniya) rocket can provide a soft-landing of an unmanned probe on the lunar surface. (52)
April 7: Brezhnev, Kozlov and Ustinov propose to slash funding for non-military space program.
April 12: Yuri Gagarin completes world's first manned space flight.
May 13: A government decree, entitled "On Reconsideration of the Plans for Space Vehicles in the Direction of the Defense Purposes," postpones the first test launch of the N1 rocket for 1965 and limits its developmet to a prliminary design for the time being.
August: Gherman Titov completes a day-long flight aboard Vostok-2.
January: A NASA committee led by George Low (the Apollo spacecraft program manager) completes studies of a manned lunar-landing program, considering a direct-ascent trajectory using large Nova-type launch vehicles and an Earth-orbit rendezvous technique using Saturn-type rockets.
Jan. 31: The Redstone rocket launched the first Mercury spacecraft, carrying chimpanzee Ham.
Feb. 14: James Webb is sworn as NASA administrator after 17 other candidates had turned out the position.
Feb. 23: The Atlas-Agena rocket launches the Ranger-1 spacecraft into the Earth orbit.
April 20: In the wake of Gagarin's flight, President Kennedy sends a memo to his vice president asking about a prospective "space program which promises dramatic results in which we could win?"
April 28: Vice President Lyndon Johnson writes to President Kennedy that an expedition to the Moon could be accomplished by the US as early as 1966 or 1967, ahead of the USSR.
May 5: Alan Shepard completes a suborbital flight.
May 15: General Dynamics, GE, and Martin submit final reports on the Project Apollo study contracts.
May 25: John Kennedy, speaking at a joint session of Congress, calls for the human Moon landing before the end of the decade which would require an acceleration of the US space program.
Fall: North American Aviation receives the contract for the development of the Apollo spacecraft.
June 11: An "ad hoc" committee chaired by William Fleming favors direct flight from the Earth to the Moon launched by a Nova rocket, as the best scenario for the lunar expedition. (10)
June 23: NASA announces it ends the development of the Saturn C-2 launch vehicle to concentrate on the C-3 variant and the Nova super rocket.
July 28: NASA issues a request for proposal to 12 companies for development of the Apollo spacecraft.
Aug. 9: NASA selects the Instrumentation Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, to develop the guidance and navigation system for the Apollo spacecraft.
Aug. 15: The first Saturn-1 rocket arrives at Cape Canaveral.
Sept. 7: NASA officially selects the Michoud factory to produce Saturn rockets.
Sept. 19: NASA announces that the newly established Manned Spacecraft Center would be located in Houston, Texas.
Oct. 25: NASA sets a day-long flight as the ultimate goal of the Mercury project, instead of a three-orbit mission.
Oct. 27, 10:06 a.m. ET: The Saturn-1 (SA-1) experimental rocket lifts off on its first suborbital test mission, lasting 8 minutes 4 seconds and reaching an altitude of 137 kilometers.
Nov. 18: The Atlas-Agena rocket launches Ranger-2 spacecraft into the Earth orbit.
Nov. 28: NASA announces awarding a contract for the Apollo spacecraft program to North American's Space Division.
Dec. 21: The first four major Apollo subcontractors were announced: Collins Radio for telecommunications systems; Garrett Corporation's Ai Research Division for environmental control equipment; Honeywell Inc. for the stabilization and control system; and Northrop Corporation's Ventura Division for parachute landing system.
A NASA "ad hoc" committee chaired by Nicholas Golovin favors rendezvous of the two craft launched by Saturn C-5 rockets in the Earth orbit for the lunar expedition. (10)
March 5: In letters to the government, Korolev proposes the development of the Soyuz spacecraft and the N2 rocket, as the first step toward the bigger N1 launch vehicle. (84)
April 16: Nikita Khrushchev signs a decree, limiting the development of the N1 booster to a preliminary study and to an economic assessment of the project. At the same time, the development of the UR-500 booster has been authorized along with the development of the Soyuz complex for the circumlunar mission with the crew of two.
April 29: The Soviet government issues Decree No. 409-183 assigning OKB-52 design bureau to develop the UR-500 rocket. (210)
May 16: Korolev approved a preliminary design of the N1 rocket, which envisioned a 2,200-ton, three-stage vehicle, capable of launching 75 tons of payload.
July 2-16: An expert commission led by Mastislav Keldysh evaluates and approves the preliminary design of the N1, scheduling the beginning of the flight tests for 1965.
August: Two piloted spacecraft, Vostok 3 and 4, orbit the Earth.
Sept. 24: The government decree jump-starts the N1 project and schedules the readiness of the launch facilities in 1965. Three months are given for the formulation of military and scientific applications of the super-heavy vehicle.
1962
Apollo lunar module concept
Saturn-1 SA-3
Jan. 3: NASA announces that the Mercury Mark-2 project would would be renamed Gemini.
Jan. 5: NASA releases drawings of the three-seat Apollo spacecraft to the public.
Jan. 22: The first Apollo engineering order is issued for fabrication of the first mockups of the Apollo command and service modules.
Jan. 26-28: The Ranger-3 probe fails to reach the lunar surface.
Feb. 9: NASA announces that GE was awarded a contract to provide integration analysis of the total Apollo space vehicle, including launch vehicle and spacecraft, to assure reliability of the entire system. GE was also chosen to develop and operate equipment to check out the Apollo systems.
Feb. 13: Lockheed Propulsion Company is selected to design and build the solid-propellant launch-escape rocket for Apollo.
February: John Glenn completes the first US piloted orbital flight.
March 2: Marquardt Corp. is selected to design and build the reaction-control rocket engines for the Apollo spacecraft.
March 3: Aerojet-General Corp. is named as subcontractor for the Apollo service propulsion system.
March 9: Pratt and Whitney is selected to build the Apollo fuel cell system to supply electricity.
March 15: NASA announces the replacement of Deke Slayton with Scott Carpenter on the Mercury MA-7 mission due to Slayton's slightly erratic heart rate.
March 16: The Titan-2 ICBM, crucial for the Gemini project, flies its first test mission. (141)
March 29: McDonnell delivered the first mockup of the Gemini spacecraft for inspection to NASA.
April 11: President Kennedy designates the Apollo project to be of the highest national priority.
April 23-26: The Ranger-4 probe hits the lunar surface, but fails to transmit photos.
April 25: A Saturn-1 rocket flies a suborbital test mission.
Mid-year: NASA concludes that the rendezvous in the lunar orbit between the mother craft and the lunar excursion module would be the best scenario for the lunar expedition.
June: NASA employees move into 13 temporary facilities of the Manned Spaceccraft Center in Houston, Texas.
July 5: D. Brainerd Holmes, NASA director of manned spaceflight, informs the House space committee of the US Congress that the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous, LOR, was chosen as the scenario for the lunar expedition. (139)
July: NASA invites 11 firms to submit proposals for the development of the lunar module.
July 21: NASA announces the decision to build a launch complex for the Advanced Saturn (later Saturn-5) rocket at Merrit Island, Fla, near Cape Canaveral. (139)
Sept. 11-12: President Kennedy visits Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala, Cape Canaveral, Houston and McDonnell Douglas facility in St. Louis. He also delivers a famous speech at Rice University.(10)
September: Grumman presents its proposal on the design of the lunar module (LM) to NASA, along with nine other firms.
Oct. 18: The Ranger-5 probe fails to reach the lunar surface.
Nov. 7: NASA confirms the use a lunar module and lunar-orbit-rendezvous for Project Apollo. The agency also announces that Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation was contracted to build the lunar module.
Nov. 16: The third Saturn-1 (SA-3) rocket with dummy second and third stages flies a 4-min. 55-sec. suborbital test mission, reaching an altitude of 167 kilometers and releasing water to study ionesphere.
Jan. 4: A E-6 lunar lander fails in the Earth orbit.
Feb. 3: A E-6 lunar lander fails to reach orbit.
Beginning of February: Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Defense put forward proposals for the applications of the N1 heavy launcher.
April 2: A E-6 lunar lander lifts off but misses the Moon. Announced as Luna-4.
April 22: A scientific council at the OKB-1 design bureau reviews proposals for the space applications of the N1 rocket, including space stations, lunar expeditions (using the 19K and 21K spacecraft) and human missions to Mars.
June: Valentina Tereshkova, the world's first woman in space, completes orbital flight aboard Vostok-6.
Dec. 3: A Government decree sets the first launch of the 7K Earth-orbiting spacecraft in 1964, and 9K, 11K vehicles for a circumlunar mission in 1965 or 1966.
Dec. 24: A Government decree distributes assignments for the launch infrastructure for the N1 rocket.
1963
Saturn-1 SA-4
Jan. 25: Wernher von Braun and his team starts the development of the Saturn-5 rocket. (10)
March 28: A Saturn-1 (SA-4) rocket flies a suborbital test mission.
April 2: NASA orders 13 flight-rated Gemini spacecraft, including one for testing and 12 for flights.
June 12: During a senate testimony, NASA Administrator James Webb announces that there would be "no further Mercury shots," ending Alan Shepard's hope that he would orbit the Earth in a future Mercury flight.
Aug. 28: A Little Joe II rocket launches a mockup of the Apollo spacecraft and its escape system to an altitude of 7,320 meters from White Sands, NM, reaching the speed of 1.1 Mach and the range of 15 kilometers.
September: NASA reviews the preliminary design of the lunar module.
Oct. 4: McDonnell delivers the first flight-rated Gemini spacecraft to Cape Canaveral.
March 21: The E-6 lunar lander fails to reach orbit.
April 20: The E-6 lunar lander fails to reach orbit.
June 19: A Government decree, officially reschedules the first launch of the N1 rocket to 1966.
July 27: Military Industrial Commission, VPK, considers a five-year plan for space exploration. (84)
Aug. 3: The Soviet government gives go ahead to the L3 lunar landing effort and the LK circumlunar mission.
October 12: The first three-member crew orbits Earth onboard the Voskhod spacecraft.
Dec. 30: OKB-1 completes the preliminary development of the N1-L3 complex.
Jan. 29: The fifth Saturn-1 rocket (SA-5) flies its first mission with a live second stage featuring six liquid hydrogen engines, which deliver it into high orbit.
Jan. 30-Feb. 2: The Ranger-6 probe lifts off and hits the lunar surface in the Sea of Tranquility, but fails to transmit photos due to a short circuit.
April 7: IBM introduces System 360 mainframe computer which would be used in the support of the Apollo program.
April 8-12: A Titan-2 rocket launches the first unmanned Gemini-1 spacecraft.
May 13: A Little Joe-2 rocket launches a mockup of the Apollo spacecraft, A-001, and its Launch Escape System, LES, from White Sands, NM. The boilerplate spacecraft and LES functioned well for the exception of a parachute failure.
May 28: A Saturn-1 rocket flies a test mission.
July: The first S-IVB stage (Stage III) for the Saturn-5 rocket is delivered from Long Beach, California, manufacturing facility of Douglas Aircraft Co. to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama.
July 28: Ranger-7 relays high-resolution pictures of the lunar surface before impacting the Moon.
Aug. 7: Lockheed begins testing of a pitch motor for the Launch Escape System, LES, of the Apollo spacecraft under a contract with North American Aviation.
Sept. 18: A Saturn-1 Block-2 rocket flies its seventh test mission, SA-7, with an Apollo mockup and an operational emergency escape system.
Dec. 8: Little Joe-2 rocket launches a mockup of the Apollo spacecraft and its escape system, LES, from White Sands, NM.
Jan. 26: A technical commission chaired by Mstislav Keldysh is formed to access the N1 project.
Feb. 10: The plan of development of the L3 system had been approved after evaluation by the Keldysh commission from the Academy of Sciences.
March 12: The E-6 lunar lander failed to leave Earth orbit. Announced as Kosmos-60.
March 18: Alexei Leonov conducts the world's first spacewalk during the Voskhod-2 mission.
April 10: The E-6 lunar lander failed to reach Earth orbit.
May 9: The E-6 lunar lander crashed into the lunar surface. Announced as Luna-5.
June 8: The E-6 lunar probe missed the Moon. Announced as Luna-6.
June 30: Chelomei approves the preliminary design of the LK complex for a circumlunar mission around the Moon.
July 22: Zond-3 images part of the Moon's far side.
Aug. 26: The meeting of key space officials gives go ahead to the L1 project.
Sept. 8: The Military Industrial Commission of the Presidium of the Soviet of Ministers issues Decision No. 201 allocating 18 launches of the 8K82K rocket for the L1 test flight program.
September: A technical commission chaired by Mstislav Keldysh approves the N1-L3 project.
Oct. 4: The E-6 lunar lander crashes into the lunar surface. Announced as Luna-7.
Oct. 25: the Soviet government issues a decree "On the consolidation of resources of development organizations of the industry on the development of the complex of rocket and space means for the flight around the Moon," formally consolidating the effort of the industry on the circumlunar mission with the UR-500K-L1 complex.
Dec. 7, 00:51 Moscow Time: The E-6 lunar lander crashed into the lunar surface. Announced as Luna-8.
Jan. 19: A Titan-2 rocket launches the unmanned Gemini-2 spacecraft on a suborbital test mission.
Feb. 16: The Saturn-1 rocket launches the Pegasus-1 satellite and the Apollo "boilerplate"mockup.
Feb. 17: Ranger-8 lifts off.
Feb. 20: The Ranger-8 probe hits the Moon, relaying high-resolution pictures of the lunar surface before the impact.
February: US astronauts Dick Gordon, Buzz Aldrin, Dave Scott, Neil Armstrong, and Rusty Schweikart travel to Nevada to meet geology experts from USGS to study craters like those found on the lunar surface.
March 2: NASA's Atlas-Centaur-5 rocket fails at launch from Cape Canaveral's LC-36A pad during an attempt to test the "direct ascent" trajectory for the Surveyor lunar lander program.
March 21-24: The Ranger-9 probe hits the Moon, relaying high-resolution pictures of the lunar surface before the impact.
March 23: A Titan-2 rocket launches the Gemini-3 spacecraft on the first manned mission, lasting 4 hours 53 minutes.
April 16: A cluster of five F-1 engines for the Saturn-5 rocket is test-fired for the first time in Huntsville, Ala.
May 19: The Little Joe II rocket launches a mockup of the Apollo spacecraft and its escape system, LES, from White Sands, NM. The launch failed.
May 25: A Saturn-1 SA-8 rocket launches the Pegasus-2 satellite and the Apollo "boilerplate"mockup.
June 3-7: Edward White completes first US spacewalk during the Gemini-4 mission.
July 30: The final Saturn-1 rocket launches the Pegasus-3 satellite and the Apollo "boilerplate"mockup.
Aug. 21-29: Gemini-5 crew completes 8-day, 120-orbit flight.
Aug. 26: President Lyndon Johnson announced the beginning of the Manned Orbital Laboratory, MOL, project.
Dec. 4-18: Gemini-7 spends two weeks in orbit -- enough time to complete a lunar expedition.
Dec. 15-16: Gemini-6A completes a rendezvous with Gemini-7.
Jan. 14: Sergei Korolev, de-facto head of the Soviet space program, dies during a botched surgery in Moscow.
Jan. 20: The first unsuccessful attempt to conduct live test firing of the 3rd stage of the N1 rocket (Block V) at NIIKhIMMash's EU-16 facility in Zagorsk.
Feb. 3: Luna-9 completes soft landing on the lunar surface.
March 1: The E-6S lunar orbiter failed to leave Earth orbit. Announced as Kosmos-111.
March 31: Luna-10, the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon, is launched.
Aug. 24: The E-6LF No. 101 lunar orbiter heads to lunar orbit under name Luna-11 to image lunar surface.
Oct. 22: The E-6LF lunar orbiter is launched; announced as Luna-12.
Nov. 28: The first attempt to test unmanned Soyuz spacecraft, announced as Kosmos-133. Destroyed on reentry.
Dec. 11: Test of emergency escape system for the Soyuz spacecraft in Vladimirovka. (52)
Dec. 14: The unmanned Soyuz launcher destroyed on Pad 31 in Baikonur during a botched launch attempt.
Dec. 21: The Luna-13 is launched; completes soft landing on the surface of the Moon on Dec. 24.
1966
Surveyor
Lunar Orbiter lifts off
Lunar Orbiter
Earth over the Moon by Lunar Orbiter-1
January: NASA reviews the final design of the lunar module.
Feb. 26: The first Saturn-1B (AS-201) rocket launches Block I of the first Apollo spacecraft on its first 15-minute suborbital test mission reaching an altitude of 425 kilometers. The Apollo's command module then splashes down in the Atlantic successfully testing its heat shield.
March 16: Gemini-8 completes first manual docking with the Agena-8 target stage.
March 21: NASA publicly presents astronauts Gus Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee as crew members of the first Apollo orbital flight test.
April 23: NASA conducts the successful test of Structural and Dynamic Test Vehicle (S-II-T) at a newly build facility in Lousiana. The S-II-T was a cluster of 5 J-2 rocket engines that was the core of the second stage of the Saturn-5 rocket.
May 6: NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center announces that it received the first uprated J-2 engine from Rocketdyne, which would be used on Saturn-5 rockets beginning with the launch of the Apollo-9 mission.
May 17: The Agena Target Vehicle, ATV, lifts off but fails to reach orbit, requiring to delay the Gemini-9 mission scheduled for launch on the same day.
May 30: Surveyor-1 is launched. The first US spacecraft to complete soft-landing on the surface of the Moon on June 2.
June 3-6: The Gemini-9 mission.
July 5: The Saturn-1B rocket delivers a 26.5-ton test version of the 2nd Apollo spacecraft into the low Earth orbit.
July 18-21: The Gemini-10 mission.
Aug. 10 - Oct. 19: The Lunar Orbiter-1 conducts a mission to map the Moon.
Aug. 23: Lunar Orbiter-1 takes the first photo of the Earth over the Moon. It is downlinked the next day and publicly released on August 25.
Aug. 25: The Saturn-1B rocket launches the 3rd Apollo test spacecraft on a suborbital trajectory.
Sept. 12: The Gemini-11 mission is launched.
Sept. 20-23: The Surveyor-2 lander crashes on the lunar surface.
Nov. 3: The Titan-3 rocket launched a mockup of the MOL station.
Nov. 6, 1966 - Oct. 11, 1967: The Lunar Orbiter-2 conducts a mission to map the Moon.
Nov. 11-15: The Gemini-12 mission.
Feb. 7: A test flight of the unmanned Soyuz spacecraft, announced as Kosmos-140. Upon landing the reentry craft sank in the Aral Sea. (52)
March 10: The first UR-500K rocket launches the first unpiloted prototype of the L1 circumlunar spacecraft. Announced as Kosmos-146.
April 8: The UR-500K rocket launches a prototype of the L1 circumlunar spacecraft No. 3P. A second firing of the Block D fails in orbit. Announced as Kosmos-154.
April 13: The 2nd attempt to conduct live test firing of the 3rd stage of the N1 rocket (Block V) at NII-229's EU-16 facility in Zagorsk. (52) One of the engine lines burns through. (129)
April 24: Vladimir Komarov dies on landing after the Soyuz-1 test flight.
May 17: The E-6LS lunar orbiter failed to leave Earth orbit. Announced as Kosmos-159.
July 21: The Soviet government issues Decree No. 715-240 initiating industry-wide Galaktika study (INSIDER CONTENT) into the future of the Soviet space program.
Sept. 28: The UR-500K fails to deliver L1 spacecraft into orbit due to the failure of the 1st stage.
Oct. 27: A test flight of the unmanned Soyuz spacecraft, announced as Kosmos-186.
Oct. 30: A test flight of the unmanned Soyuz spacecraft, announced as Kosmos-188. Docked with Kosmos-186.
Nov. 22: An UR-500K rocket fails to send the L1 No. 5L spacecraft on a circumlunar mission due to failure of the 2nd stage.
Jan. 27: Three astronauts die in a fire during training inside the command module of the Apollo spacecraft on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral.
Feb. 5 - Oct. 9: The Lunar Orbiter-3 conducts a mission to map the Moon.
Feb. 23: NASA begins stacking stages of the first Saturn-5 vehicle (No. AS-501) for the Apollo-4 mission.
April 5: Apollo 204 Review Board, that investigated the fatal fire on January 27, delivers its final report with recommendations to NASA Administrator.
April 17-20: NASA's Surveyor-3 robotic lander flies to the lunar surface.
May 4-Oct. 6: The Lunar Orbiter-4 conducts a mission to map the Moon.
May: NASA announces a new crew to replace lost astronauts in the Jan. 27, 1967, Apollo fire.
June: The first flight version of the lunar module is delivered to NASA.
July 14-17: The Surveyor-4 lander crashes on the lunar surface.
Aug. 1-Jan. 31, 1968: The Lunar Orbiter-5 conducts a mission to map the Moon.
Sept. 11: Surveyor-5 probe successfully lands on a 20-degree slope in the Sea of Tranquility shortly before running out of propellant.
Nov. 4: NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George Mueller releases the planned schedule for Apollo missions to be flown in 1968 and 1969, leading to a lunar landing.
Nov. 7: NASA launches the Surveyor-6 lunar lander.
Nov. 9: The first Saturn-5 rocket launches an unmanned Apollo-4 spacecraft into the Earth orbit.
Nov. 9: The Surveyor-6 spacecraft performs soft landing on the Moon.
Nov. 17: Surveyor-6 performs the first controlled ascent from the lunar surface to an altitude of three or four meters and the second soft touchdown.
Feb. 2: The 3rd attempt to conduct live test firing of the 3rd stage of the N1 rocket (Block V) at NII-229's EU-16 facility in Zagorsk. (52) Successful. (129)
Feb. 7: The E-6LS lunar orbiter fails to reach the Earth's orbit.
Feb. 21: The Soviet government issues a decree No. 119-39 authorizing the development of the Block S and Sr stages for upgraded versions of the N1 Moon rocket.
March 2: The UR-500K rocket launches the L1 spacecraft into a test flight announced as Zond-4. Its reentry capsule self-destructed during the reentry.
April 7: The launch of the Luna-14 lunar orbiter to test DRK long-range communications system.
April 14: A test flight of the unmanned Soyuz spacecraft, announced as Kosmos-212.
April 15: A test flight of the unmanned Soyuz spacecraft, announced as Kosmos-213.
April 23: An UR-500K rocket fails to deliver the L1 No. 7L spacecraft into orbit.
June 15: The 1st attempt to conduct live test firing of the 2nd stage of the N1 rocket (Block B) at NII-229's EU-15 facility in Zagorsk. (52) Aborted. (129)
June 23: The 2nd attempt to conduct live test firing of the 2nd stage of the N1 rocket (Block B) at NII-229's EU-15 facility in Zagorsk with six engines firing. (52) Successful. (129)
July 14: An on-pad explosion of the upper stage killed one person. Craft damaged.
Aug. 23: The 4th attempt to conduct live test firing of the 3rd stage of the N1 rocket (Block V) at NII-229's EU-16 facility in Zagorsk. (52) Successful. (129)
Aug. 28-Sept. 1: A Soyuz 7K-OK No. 9 spacecraft, announced as Kosmos-238, flies a final test mission before returning to flight with cosmonauts after the death of Komarov.
Sept. 15-21: The Zond-5, a prototype of the spacecraft for manned circumlunar missions, flies around the Moon and splashes down in the Indian Ocean.
Oct. 25-30: The Soyuz-3 spaceccraft conducts rendezvous with the Soyuz-2 spacecraft but fails to dock due to pilot's error.
Nov. 10-17: The Zond-6 flies around the moon and lands in the USSR.
Jan. 7-10: The Surveyor-7 lander reaches the lunar surface.
Jan. 22-Feb. 11: The Saturn-1B (SA-204) rocket launches an unpiloted Apollo-5 mission, testing the first lunar module in the Earth orbit.
Feb. 8: The Apollo Site Selection Board announces five potential landing sites on the first expedition during the Apollo-11 mission.
Feb. 10: NASA conducts a full-duration captive firing of the second stage for a Saturn-5 rocket which would be used to launch the Apollo-9 mission in 1969. It was 4th flight version of the S-II stage.
April 4: The second Saturn-5 rocket launches an unpiloted Apollo-6 spacecraft on the Earth-orbiting test mission.
April 24: NASA Administrator James Webb advocates for continuous development of the nuclear rocket stage at the US Senate hearings.
April 27: NASA Administrator James E. Webb approves the plan to fly the third Saturn-5 mission with a crew in the Earth orbit. Webb based his decision on the work of engineers who quickly understood and fixed the problems encountered during the Apollo-6 mission. On the same day, NASA announces what was then planned to be the Apollo-8 crew scheduled to fly later in 1968: James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott and Russell L. Schweickert.
May 6: Lunar Landing Research Vehicle crashes, but its pilot, Neil Armstrong, ejects safely.
Middle of the year: NASA discontiues work on two out of 17 originally ordered Saturn-5 rocket due to lack of funding.
August: In the wake of the Soviet Zond (L1) flights, and due to the delays with the development of the LM-3 lunar module (originally scheduled to fly during the Apollo-8 mission in the Earth's orbit), NASA considers sending the Apollo-8 spacecraft into the lunar orbit. The flight test of the lunar module in the Earth's orbit would be then deferred to the Apollo-9 mission. (140)
Aug. 9: Apollo Spacecraft Program Manager George M. Low proposes sending the second Apollo flight with a crew on a circumlunar mission in meetings with key officials from the Manned Spacecraft Center, MSC, in Houston, the Marshall Space Flight Center, MSFC, and the Kennedy Space Center, KSC.
Aug. 14: Representatives from MSC, MSFC and KSC attend the meeting in Washington, DC, on August 14, with NASA Deputy Administrator Thomas O. Paine and Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips, the senior NASA Headquarters officials present. (NASA Administrator James E. Webb and Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight George E. Mueller were attending a conference in Vienna). The group discusses the feasibility of Low’s proposal and agrees that it was technically possible to accomplish a circumlunar flight with Apollo-8 in December.
In additional discussions are held during the week of Aug. 14, including with Administrator Webb, who agrees to plan for a December 6 Apollo-8 launch, despite a more suitable launch date of December 20. No formal decision about a lunar mission would be made until after a successful Apollo-7 flight in October, which would prove the space-worthiness of the Apollo Command and Service Module in Earth orbit.
Aug. 19: NASA's Deputy Administrator Thomas O. Paine announces that the lunar module was dropped from the Apollo-8 mission scheduled to launch in December on the first Saturn-5 rocket to carry the crew. No mention is made of a plan to send the Apollo-8 into the orbit around the Moon.
Sept. 15: A UPI wire story (published by the New York Times) quotes sources at Manned Spacecraft center as saying that the Apollo spacecraft could be sent into orbit around the Moon in December 1968.
Oct. 9: A Saturn-5 rocket with the Apollo-8 spacecraft rolls out to its launch pad.
Oct. 11-22: Three astronauts fly an 11-day Apollo-7 mission testing command and service module for lunar expedition in the Earth's orbit.
Oct. 17: Two review boards release their findings from Neil Armstrong's May 6 Lunar Landing Research Vehicle crash. Armstrong didn't have enough warning of a loss of propellant pressure and had to eject.
Nov. 8: NASA launches the Pioneer-9 interplanetary spacecraft with eight instruments between orbits of Earth and Venus to monitor solar weather and solar wind during the Apollo missions.
Nov. 12: In the wake of the Apollo-7 success, NASA publicly discloses its decision to send the Apollo-8 spacecraft on a circumlunar mission in December 1968. (139)
Dec. 21-27: Apollo-8 with the crew of three completes the world's first manned mission in the orbit of the Moon.
Jan. 14-18: The Soyuz-4 and 5 spacecraft docked in the Earth orbit. Two cosmonauts transfer from one craft to another during the EVA.
Jan. 20: An UR-500K rocket fails to send the 7K-L1 No. 13L spacecraft on circumlunar trajectory due to a 3rd stage failure.
Feb. 19: The E-8 lunar rover failed to reach Earth orbit.
Feb. 21: The first test launch of the N1 rocket (Vehicle Number 3L) fails 68.7 seconds after liftoff.
May 31: Head of TsKBEM Vasily Mishin signs a preliminary proposal, (Avant-Proyekt), for the N1M rocket upgrade (INSIDER CONTENT).
July 3: The second test launch of the N1 rocket (Vehicle Number 5L) fails at liftoff.
July 13: The E-8-5 spacecraft designed to return lunar samples before the Apollo-11 expedition, launched toward the Moon. Crashed on the lunar surface. Announced as Luna-15.
Aug. 8-14: The Zond-7 flies around the Moon and lands on the Soviet territory.
Sept. 23: The E-8-5 spacecraft designed to return lunar samples failed to leave Earth orbit. Announced as Kosmos-300.
Oct. 11-18: The Soyuz-6, -7 and -8 conduct simultaneous orbital flight.
Oct. 22: The E-8-5 spacecraft designed to return lunar samples failed to leave Earth orbit. Announced as Kosmos-305.
Nov. 28: The UR-500K rocket fails to deliver a test version of the Block D upper stage, designed for the N1.
February: President Nixon establishes the Space Task Group, STG, considering the future of the US space program. (10)
Feb. 27: As all three crewmembers develop cold, NASA announces a delay of the planned February 28 launch of Apollo 9.
March 3-13: Apollo-9 conducts a test flight in the Earth's orbit, including the autonomous flight of the lunar module.
March 11: While Apollo-9 mission circles the Earth, another Saturn-5 rocket with the Apollo-10 spacecraft rolls out on the launch pad for the final rehearsal of lunar expedition.
March 29: NASA makes public the Apollo-10 mission objective to enter orbit around the Moon for the final rehearsal of the lunar expedition.
April 10: NASA announces the crew for the Apollo-12 mission, the second expedition to the Moon.
April 11: Command and Service Module for the Apollo-11 mission are mated to the Lunar Module Adapter.
April 14: The upper composite of the Apollo-11 spacecraft is moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building for the integration with its Saturn-5 rocket.
May 18-26: Apollo-10 flies toward and around the Moon in a "dress rehearsal" of the lunar landing.
May 20: The Saturn-5 rocket with the Apollo-11 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad.
June 30: Service tower moves away from a Saturn-5 rocket with the Apollo-11 spacecraft at Launch Complex 39A during the Countdown Demonstration Test.
July 1: NASA administrator Thomas O. Paine meets with Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, asking him not to call for cuts in space budget as he had in May in a speech at Clark University.
July 5: Speaking from a germs-protected enclosure, members of the Apollo-11 crew announce proper names of the Lunar and Command Modules for their upcoming mission.
July 16-24: The Apollo-11 astronauts land and walk on the surface of the Moon.
July 29: NASA releases the first photos taken by the Apollo-11 crew during its descent to the Moon and on its surface.
Aug. 5: Wernher von Braun advocates the 640-day nuclear-propelled Martian expedition concept to be launched as early as 1981 or 1982 before the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences.
August: The MOL military space station project is officially canceled.
Sept. 8: A Saturn-5 rocket with the Apollo-12 spacecraft is rolled out from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Pad 39A in preparation for launch.
September: The Space Task Group, STG, proposes an aggressive post-Apollo program.
Oct. 28: Boeing is awarded contract to build a lunar rover for the Apollo project.
Nov. 14-24: The Apollo-12 expedition to the Moon.
Feb. 6: The E-8-5 spacecraft designed to return lunar samples failed to reach Earth orbit.
April 1: TsKBEM design bureau proposes a three-launch scenario for the L3M long-duration lunar expedition. (INSIDER CONTENT)
Aug. 29: The 2nd test firing of the 2nd stage of the N1 rocket (Block B) at NII-229's EU-15 facility in Zagorsk (52) with eight engines firing. Successful. (129)
Sept. 12: The Luna-16 blasted off toward the Moon on a mission to return lunar samples.
Oct. 20: The Zond-8 (L1) spacecraft flew around the Moon and landed in the Indian Ocean.
Nov. 17: Luna-17 delivers the Lunokhod-1 rover on the surface of the Moon.
Nov. 24: A test of the LK lunar lander in the Earth orbit. Announced as Kosmos-379.
Nov. 25: The live test firing of the 3rd stage of the N1 rocket (Block V) at NII-229's EU-16 facility in Zagorsk. (52)
Dec. 2: A flight test of the Block D upper stage version developed for the N-1 launcher. Fired seven times in orbit. Announced as Kosmos-382.
January 4: NASA announces that the Apollo-20 mission would be cancelled to save funds. The Saturn-5 rocket originally procured for the expedition is re-allocated for the launch of the Skylab space station.
April 10: NASA Administrator Tom Paine makes a public announcement that Jack Swigert will replace Ken Mattingly as Command Module Pilot aboard Apollo-13 scheduled for launch next day.
April 11-17: The Apollo-13 fails to reach the Moon due to an in-flight anomaly, however its crew returns safely to Earth.
June 15: The Apollo-13 accident review board publishes its final report
July 28: NASA Administrator Thomas O. Paine announces his resignation from the agency. (10)
October: NASA cancels Apollo-18 and -19 missions, cutting short the Apollo program, but the planned Apollo-15 is upgraded to the J-level mission, allowing longer presence on the Moon and the use of a rover.
November: Dr. George Low, acting NASA Administrator, tells Congress that the Soviet program of developing of a super heavy-lift vehicle continued despite all failures.
Feb. 26: A test of the LK lunar lander in the Earth orbit. Announced as Kosmos-398.
April 19: Salyut, the first orbital station is launched. Its first crew of three dies on landing.
June 16: TsKBEM formulates a concept of the LKT lander (INSIDER CONTENT) for the two-launch scenario within the L3M project that could deliver two cosmonauts on the surface of the Moon.
June 27: The 3rd launch of the N1 rocket (Vehicle Number 6L) fails at 50.1 seconds after liftoff.
Aug. 12: A test of the LK lunar lander in the Earth orbit. Announced as Kosmos-434.
Sept. 2: The E-8-5 lunar sample return mission launched. Crashed during landing on the Moon. Announced as Luna-18.
Sept. 28: The E-8LS lunar orbiter launched toward the Moon. Announced as Luna-19.
Jan. 31-Feb. 9: The Apollo-14 expedition to the Moon.
June 17: NASA announces the selection of the Descartes hihglands region on the Moon as the destination for the Apollo-16 expedition.
May 11: A Saturn-5 rocket with the Apollo-15 spacecraft rolls out to the launch pad.
July 26: A Saturn-5 rocket launches the Apollo-15 expedition to the Moon.
Aug. 4: The Apollo-15 spacecraft releases the Particles and Field Sub-satellite, FPS-1, into lunar orbit from its Service Module.
Aug. 7: The Apollo-15 expedition returns to Earth.
Feb. 14: The Luna-20 lifts off toward the Moon on a mission to return lunar samples.
Nov. 23: The 4th launch of the N1 rocket (Vehicle Number 7L) fails 107 seconds after liftoff.
February: The FPS-1 sub-satellite deployed into lunar orbit during the Apollo-15 mission ends its operation.
April 16-27: The Apollo-16 expedition to the Moon.
June 10: Wernher von Braun leaves NASA. (10)
Dec. 7-19: The Apollo-17, the 6th and last expedition to visit the Moon in the 20th century.
Jan. 16: Luna-21 delivers the Lunokhod-2 rover on the surface of the Moon.
Dec. 15: The 3rd and last test firing of the 2nd stage of the N1 rocket (Block B) at NII-229's EU-15 facility in Zagorsk. (52) Successful. (129)
1973
May 14: The final Saturn-5 rocket launches the Skylab station.
May 25-June 22: The 1st expedition to the Skylab space station.
July 29-Sept. 25: The 2nd expedition to the Skylab space station.
Nov. 16: The 3rd and final crew flies to the Skylab space station.
May: The Vehicle Number 8L is modified for the fifth N1 test flight scheduled for the fourth quarter of 1974.
May 21-22: Valentin Glushko replaces Vasily Mishin as a head of TsKBEM.
May 29: The E-8LS lunar orbiter launched toward the Moon. Announced as Luna-22.
Oct. 28: The E-8-5M lunar sample return mission failed during landing on the Moon. Announced as Luna-23.
1974
Feb. 8: The 3rd and final expedition to the Skylab space station returns to Earth.
Oct. 16 : The attempt to launch the E-8-5M No. 412 soil sample return mission failed to reach Earth orbit due to Block D failure.
1975
July 15: The 9th and last Saturn-1B rocket launches the final Apollo spacecraft to rendezvous and dock with the Soviet Soyuz-19 spacecraft.
February: A government decree officially cancels the N1-L3 program.
Aug. 9: The E-8-5M soil-sample return mission is launched successfully. Announced as Luna-24.
Aug. 18: Luna-24 lands on the surface of the Moon to collect soil samples, which then returned to Earth.
Oct. 12: Block R hydrogen stage performs the first live firing at NIIKhIMMash.
1976
