Outer Space

The term 'outer space' was first coined by author H.G. Wells in 1901.Onlne Etymology Dictionary: Outer Outer space is the area outside of the Earth's atmosphere, to collectively include all other planets, solar systems, stars and galaxies.Mirriam Webster Online: Outer Space

1. 1901: Term coined by H.G. Wells
2. October 4, 1957: Russia launches first satellite into orbit, SputnikBBC: Sputnik satellite blasts into space
3. September 12, 1959: Russia launches first rocket towards the MoonBBC: Soviets launch rocket at the moon
4. April 12, 1961: Yuri Gargarin becomes the first man in outer spaceBBC: Soviets win the space race
5. February 20, 1962: John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the EarthBBC: US spaceman orbits the Earth
6. June 16, 1963: Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman into outer spaceBBC: Soviets launch first woman into space
7. July 21, 1969: Neil Armstrong becomes the first man on the moonBBC: Man takes first steps on the moon
8. July 20, 1976: Viking spacecraft sends back images of MarsBBC: Pictures of Mars from Viking ship
9. April 28, 2001: Dennis Tito becomes the first tourist in outer spaceBBC: First space tourist blasts off

What started in the late 1800s and early 1900s as the realm of science fiction writers, space travel became a reality because of the research of rocket experts like Werner von Braun. After the Soviet Union put the first satellite into space, the United States engaged in what would later be known as the 'space race'. In 1969, the U.S. put the first man on the Moon.

• YouTube: Jim Moginie - Outer Space (Time 4:19)