The Space Age in Middle-Age

50 Highs and Lows Since Sputnik

TIME's Jeffrey Kluger examines the high and low points of space exploration in the half-century since the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik, launched on Oct. 4, 1957

Celebrating Sputnik and Beyond

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sputnik's launch, TIME explores the top 50 highs and lows of space exploration