The Space Race By colm Period: Aug 6, 1957 to Aug 6, 1969 Space Race Oct 3, 1957 First Object in Space (Sputnik) Russians launch Sputnik into Space Nov 3, 1958 First Creature In Space Laika (a Russian Space Dog) is sent into Space! Jun 5, 1961 First Man in Space Yuri Gagarin(USSR) Jul 3, 1969 First Man on the Moon Neil Armstrong (USA) is the First man to walk on the mmon