2000:

2 November: First crew arrive at International Space Station

2001:

January 9: The second test flight of the manned Shenshou
The Chinese spaceship is reported to be carrying a monkey, a dog, and a rabbit.

1 February: Columbia shuttle disintegrates killing seven
The US space shuttle Columbia brakes up as it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere killing all seven astronauts on board. Debris is scattered over Texas.

23 March: Space Station Mir crashes to Earth

28 April: First space tourist blasts off

2003:

15 October: China sends first man into space
They succeed in making it the third country ever to send a human into space.

25 December: Mars space probe disappears

Scientists fail to make contact with the British-built Mars probe, Beagle 2 and it is deemed lost.

2004:

25 January: Nasa rover, Opportunity, lands on Mars looking for signs of water

1 July: Cassini captures Saturn's rings
The international mission to Saturn, known as Cassini-Huygens, successfully goes into orbit around the planet.

Cassini travels more than six years and covers almost two billion miles to get to Saturn.

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