In 1958, Sputnik 1 reentered the earth’s atmosphere and burned up.
Launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, it was the first artificial satellite in history.
Learn more about Sputnik 1 at http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gal100/sputnik.html
In 1959, Luna 1 became the first spacecraft to reach the Moon.
Luna 1 passed within 5,995 km (~3,725 miles) of the Moon’s surface.
Learn more about Luna 1 at http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1959-012A
