Space Race
The Space Race was a competition between the United States and the Soviet Union regarding achievements in the field of space exploration. It also allowed for them to showcase their scientific and technological capabilities. Both countries made their first goal to actually get something into space. This goal was achieved by the Soviet Union on October 4th, 1957 when they launched the satellite “Sputnik”. Seeing this, the United States became frightened. They feared being so behind the Soviet Union and they were afraid the satellite was nuclear. On January 31st, 1958, less than a year after the launch of “Sputnik”, the United States successfully launched a satellite into space to orbit Earth. It was known as “Explorer”.
On July 29th, 1958, the United States established NASA. NASA stand for The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its purpose is to explore space, both through manned spaceflight and unmanned missions, as well as to fund scientists working on astronomical topics and education. Although NASA was established, it was not enough to help the Americans get the first person in space. On April 12th, 1961, Yuri Gagarin was the first person in space, on the side of the Soviet Union. Shortly after though, the Americans sent Alan Shepard into space on May 5th 1961, meaning he became the first American in space. The first American to orbit Earth, however, was John Glenn and this happened on February 20th, 1962.
Now that the men had gone into space it was time for the women. On June 16th, 1963 the first women, Valentina Tereshkova, was sent into space. As the space race continued on, it was John F. Kennedy who declared that “the United States would put a man on the moon before the end of the decade.” To achieve their goal, they sent out countless missions and finally succeeded on July 20th, 1969. The Apollo 11 mission was launched on July 16th, 1969 and it’s main goal was to perform a crewed lunar landing and then return to Earth. It is estimated that 530 million people watched as Neil Armstrong took “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
On July 29th, 1958, the United States established NASA. NASA stand for The National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its purpose is to explore space, both through manned spaceflight and unmanned missions, as well as to fund scientists working on astronomical topics and education. Although NASA was established, it was not enough to help the Americans get the first person in space. On April 12th, 1961, Yuri Gagarin was the first person in space, on the side of the Soviet Union. Shortly after though, the Americans sent Alan Shepard into space on May 5th 1961, meaning he became the first American in space. The first American to orbit Earth, however, was John Glenn and this happened on February 20th, 1962.
Now that the men had gone into space it was time for the women. On June 16th, 1963 the first women, Valentina Tereshkova, was sent into space. As the space race continued on, it was John F. Kennedy who declared that “the United States would put a man on the moon before the end of the decade.” To achieve their goal, they sent out countless missions and finally succeeded on July 20th, 1969. The Apollo 11 mission was launched on July 16th, 1969 and it’s main goal was to perform a crewed lunar landing and then return to Earth. It is estimated that 530 million people watched as Neil Armstrong took “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”