Reuters: China launches lunar probe 25 October

The many missions that took place between 1961 when JFK announced the landing objective and the eventual world famous event that occurred in 1969 including John Glen becoming the 1st man to orbit the moon.

Beijing's space plans have faced increasing international scrutiny. Fears of a potential space arms race with the United States and other powers have mounted since China blew up one of its own weather satellites using a ground-based missile in January.

Iran appears to have test-launched a rocket it plans to use to carry a research satellite into orbit. Iranian state TV says yesterday's launch was successful. (Aug. 17)

Moscow earns the scientific glory for mankind's first stride into outer space. Animated films graphically show how a mighty three-stage rocket placed an artificial moon into an orbit around the earth - a feat that occasions Western re-appraisal of Red missile progress.

The US is behind in the space race, but how can Roger help solve this?

Three weeks after the Russians put a man in orbit, the United States attempts to launch a man into space. Unlike the secrecy that surrounded the Soviet achievement, the U.S. endeavor is broadcast to the world. Hundreds of newsmen look on as the countdown begins at Cape Canaveral, and at 10.34 a huge rocket sends 37-year-old Commander Alan B. Shepard aloft in a Mercury capsule. It is a successful launch. Commander Shepard reports to ground control that everything is "A-OK". Remarkable pictures show him in the capsule as he takes over control of the Freedom 7 for a 15-minute flight, becoming the first man to pilot a space craft, and show the recovery of pilot and capsule by helicopters from the carrier Lake Champlain. Commander Shepard shows no ill-effects from the flight, arousing hopes that the U.S. may be able to orbit a man around the earth before the end of the year.

Studying the moon

A look at the after effects of the Moon mission

China launched the Olympic torch relay in Beijing on Monday but tight security highlighted concerns that protests over Tibet, human rights and other issues may tarnish its three-month journey around the world.