Science

Iconic Space Missions

The most significant space missions in human history, from the first satellite to Mars rovers.

20 rows6 columns3 views0 downloadsSource: NASAUpdated: 2/22/2026
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Mission
Year
Agency
Achievement
Crew
Destination
Sputnik 11,957USSRFirst artificial satelliteUnmannedEarth orbit
Vostok 11,961USSRFirst human in spaceYuri GagarinEarth orbit
Apollo 111,969NASAFirst Moon landingArmstrong, Aldrin, CollinsMoon
Apollo 131,970NASASuccessful failure / survivalLovell, Swigert, HaiseMoon (aborted)
Voyager 11,977NASAFarthest human-made objectUnmannedInterstellar space
Voyager 21,977NASAGrand tour of outer planetsUnmannedInterstellar space
Space Shuttle Columbia1,981NASAFirst reusable spacecraftYoung, CrippenEarth orbit
Hubble Space Telescope1,990NASA/ESADeep space imagingUnmanned (serviced)Earth orbit
ISS Assembly1,998InternationalPermanent space stationMultiple crewsEarth orbit
Mars Pathfinder1,997NASAFirst Mars roverUnmannedMars
Curiosity Rover2,012NASAAdvanced Mars explorationUnmannedMars
New Horizons2,015NASAFirst Pluto flybyUnmannedPluto
SpaceX Crew Dragon2,020SpaceX/NASAFirst commercial crew flightBehnken, HurleyISS
James Webb Space Telescope2,021NASA/ESA/CSAMost powerful space telescopeUnmannedL2 point
Chandrayaan-32,023ISROIndia's Moon landingUnmannedMoon
Perseverance Rover2,021NASAMars sample collectionUnmannedMars
Cassini-Huygens2,004NASA/ESASaturn explorationUnmannedSaturn
Mir Space Station1,986USSR/RussiaLong-duration habitationMultiple crewsEarth orbit
Artemis I2,022NASAReturn to Moon programUnmannedMoon orbit
Chang'e 42,019CNSAFirst far-side Moon landingUnmannedMoon
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