The Space Race:
The Space Race was a competition between the United States and the Soviet Union over space exploration. During the Space Race, the first satellite was sent to orbit Earth, the first human was sent to space, and the first moon landing occurred. For both superpowers, winning the Space Race was seen as a symbol for technological superiority, which could convince non - aligned nations to side with them. Today the Space Race is often seen as a spin - off of the Arms Race.
During the Second World War, belligerent nations such as the Soviet Union and Germany made advancements in missile technology. Following the fall of Germany in 1945, valuable German missile research fell into the hands of the United States and the Soviet Union. With the help of German research, both nations began their respective space programs.
On October 4th, 1957, the Sputnik I satellite was launched by the Soviet Union. This was the first man - made object to orbit Earth. It sparked American panic because now the Americans were losing the Space Race. Furthermore, it also meant that the Soviet Union was in possession of missiles which could be used in warfare against the Americas. In response, the American hastened their own space program.
On April 12th, 1961, the Soviet Union sent the first human astronaut (Yuri Gagarin) into space. Again, this humiliated Americans. On May 5th of the same year, the first American was launched into space (Alan Shepard). In the following years both superpowers continued to launch satellites and manned space flights.
Also noteworthy is that the first artificial object to land on the moon was launched by the Soviet Union (Luna 2 reached the moon on September 13th, 1959). 10 years later the first manned moon landing was done by the Americans (Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20th, 1969, and left the moon on July 21st, 1969).
During the Second World War, belligerent nations such as the Soviet Union and Germany made advancements in missile technology. Following the fall of Germany in 1945, valuable German missile research fell into the hands of the United States and the Soviet Union. With the help of German research, both nations began their respective space programs.
On October 4th, 1957, the Sputnik I satellite was launched by the Soviet Union. This was the first man - made object to orbit Earth. It sparked American panic because now the Americans were losing the Space Race. Furthermore, it also meant that the Soviet Union was in possession of missiles which could be used in warfare against the Americas. In response, the American hastened their own space program.
On April 12th, 1961, the Soviet Union sent the first human astronaut (Yuri Gagarin) into space. Again, this humiliated Americans. On May 5th of the same year, the first American was launched into space (Alan Shepard). In the following years both superpowers continued to launch satellites and manned space flights.
Also noteworthy is that the first artificial object to land on the moon was launched by the Soviet Union (Luna 2 reached the moon on September 13th, 1959). 10 years later the first manned moon landing was done by the Americans (Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20th, 1969, and left the moon on July 21st, 1969).