Space Race

After World War II the United States and the Soviet Union became locked in a bitter Cold War of espionage and propaganda. After World War II the United States and the Soviet Union became locked in a bitter Cold War of espionage and propaganda. Satellite-borne equipment could spy on other countries. Satellite-borne equipment could spy on other countries. Show Military Strength Show Military Strength

Space Race The same rockets that might send a human into orbit or hit a specific spot on the Moon could send an atom bomb to a specific enemy city. The same rockets that might send a human into orbit or hit a specific spot on the Moon could send an atom bomb to a specific enemy city. Much of the technological development required for space travel applied equally well to wartime rockets such as Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Much of the technological development required for space travel applied equally well to wartime rockets such as Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Space Race Artificial satellites start the "race" Artificial satellites start the "race"

4 October 1957, the USSR successfully launched Sputnik 1 Sputnik caused fear and stirred political debate in the United States.

Sputnik

In the eyes of the world, first in space means first, period; second in space is second in everything. In the eyes of the world, first in space means first, period; second in space is second in everything. Lyndon B. Johnson, Vice President to President John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson, Vice President to President John F. Kennedy

Animals in Space The first mammal sent into orbit, the dog Laika, travelled in the USSR's Sputnik 2 in The first mammal sent into orbit, the dog Laika, travelled in the USSR's Sputnik 2 in 1957.

1 st of Space The first communications satellite, Project SCORE, (Signal Communications Orbit Relay Equipment) launched on December 18, 1958, relayed a Christmas message from President Eisenhower to the world. The first communications satellite, Project SCORE, (Signal Communications Orbit Relay Equipment) launched on December 18, 1958, relayed a Christmas message from President Eisenhower to the world.

MAN IN SPACE Yuri Gagarin became the first successful cosmonaut when he entered orbit in Russia's Vostok 1 on April 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin became the first successful cosmonaut when he entered orbit in Russia's Vostok 1 on April 12, 1961

Other 1st Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space on June 16, 1963 in Vostok 6 Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space on June 16, 1963 in Vostok 6 The first flight with more than one crew member, the USSR's Voskhod 1, a modified version of the Vostok craft, took off on October 12, The first flight with more than one crew member, the USSR's Voskhod 1, a modified version of the Vostok craft, took off on October 12, 1964.

More 1st Aleksei Leonov, from Voskhod 2, launched by the USSR on March 18, 1965, carried out the first spacewalk. Aleksei Leonov, from Voskhod 2, launched by the USSR on March 18, 1965, carried out the first spacewalk.

TO THE MOON The Soviet Lunar program became operational with the launch of Luna 1 on January 4, The Soviet Lunar program became operational with the launch of Luna 1 on January 4, Apollo 8 carried out the first manned orbit of the moon on December 27, 1968, laying the groundwork for placing a man on the moon. Apollo 8 carried out the first manned orbit of the moon on December 27, 1968, laying the groundwork for placing a man on the moon.

Man to the moon Apollo 11 gets there first Apollo 11 gets there first American Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the lunar surface, after landing in July of American Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the lunar surface, after landing in July of over 500 million people around the world. over 500 million people around the world.