Sergei Korolev and the Soviet Space Program (1950–1966)

1. Korolev becomes Chief Designer at OKB-1

   Sep 25, 1956Labels: Sergei Korolev, OKB-1

   • NASA History
   • Britannica

2. R-7 intercontinental missile first successfully tested

   Aug 21, 1957Labels: R-7 Semyorka

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

3. Sputnik 1 launched, opening the Space Age

   Oct 4, 1957Labels: Sputnik 1

   • Sputnik 1
   • Britannica

4. Luna 1 escapes Earth, reaching the Moon’s vicinity

   Jan 2, 1959Labels: Luna 1

   • Luna 1
   • Astronomy

5. Luna 2 becomes first human-made object on Moon

   Sep 12, 1959Labels: Luna 2

   • ESA
   • Luna 2

6. Luna 3 photographs the Moon’s far side

   Oct 7, 1959Labels: Luna 3

   • Guinness
   • Planetary

7. Vostok 1 launches Yuri Gagarin into orbit

   Apr 12, 1961Labels: Vostok 1, Yuri Gagarin

   • Vostok 1
   • Britannica

8. Vostok 6 sends first woman into space

   Jun 16, 1963Labels: Vostok 6, Valentina Tereshkova

   • Vostok 6
   • AP News

9. Soviet government formalizes N1-L3 crewed lunar goal

   Aug 3, 1964Labels: N1-L3 Program

   • FAS
   • GlobalSecurity

10. Voskhod 1 flies first multi-person crew

    Oct 12, 1964Labels: Voskhod 1

    • Voskhod 1
    • Britannica

11. Voskhod 2 completes first spacewalk

    Mar 18, 1965Labels: Voskhod 2, Alexei Leonov

    • FAI
    • Voskhod 2

12. Korolev dies, ending his direct leadership

    Jan 14, 1966Labels: Sergei Korolev

    • Britannica
    • Britannica