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Soviet Union launched the first human-made object to orbit the Earth. Sonny upset about Soviet Union was able to get the satellite into space first, this was the first time that he showd some interest in the space race.
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This second heavier Sputnik carried the first dog launced into space, Sputnik II circled earth in 90 minutes. The dog did not make it back to Earth...:(
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The U.S. made its first attempt to put a satellite into orbit. The Vanguard lost its thrust and blew up. Sonny felt disappointed like other Americans and worried that his rockets would never get high in the sky.
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NASA's mission was to: "To provide for research into problems of flight within and outside the Earth's atmosphere, and for other purposes."
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On this day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958.
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Alan B. Shepard became the first American and second person to be launched into space. He also commanded the Apollo 14 mission .
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John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth and third American in space. On October 29, 1998, he became the oldest person to fly in space. YAY!!
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The United States launches the first men on the moon with the success of Apollo 11. Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong walked on the moon while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit. This success fulfilled President Kennedy's promise to reach the moon before the Soviet Union by the end of the 1960s.
