How the space race unfolded

0 Comments | USA TODAY, September, 2007

Key dates in the space race:

*Oct. 4, 1957: The Soviets launch Sputnik I, the world's first orbiting satellite, setting off near panic in the USA.

*Nov. 3: The Soviets launch a dog, named Laika, into space. Laika dies during the flight but is credited with being the first living creature in orbit.

*Dec. 6: The first U.S. attempt to launch a satellite fails.

*Jan. 31, 1958: The first U.S. satellite, Explorer I, is launched successfully.

*July 29: President Eisenhower signs a law establishing NASA.

*April 9, 1959: NASA announces its first group of U.S. astronauts, the "Mercury Seven."

*May 28: The U.S. launches two monkeys, Able and Baker, into orbit. They become the first living creatures to survive a U.S....