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Sputnik 1
Sputnik 1 was launched by the Soviets. The artificial satalite was about the size of a beach ball. Americans started to worry that the soviets would launch missiles or bombs.This event is important, because it started the Space Race. -
Laika
Laika was the first animal to orbit the earth. She was launched by the Soviets in Sputnik 2. This event was important, because it showed that a living creature could survive going into space -
Explorer 1
Explorer 1 was launched by the U.S. This event was important, because this was the U.S. first move in the Space Race. -
Vostak 1
Vostak 1 was launched by the Soviets. The first human in space, Yuri Gagarin, flew one orbit around Earth inside Vostak 1. This event is important, because it proved humans could go into space. -
'Worst" Disaster in the Space Race
Marshel Nedelin gave a command to improperly shut down R-16 rocket. The resuts were catastrophic. The engine fired straight into the propellent tanks.The explosion was huge, and killed 92 to 150 of the Soviet military. This event was important, because it shows how careful they had to be so this would not happen again -
Freedom 7
The first American in space, Alan Shepard, traveled on Freedom 7. This event is important, because it marks the first time Americans went into space. -
Friendship 7
John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth three times. This event is important, because the U.S. orbitted the Earth two times more than the Soviets -
President's Speech
John F. Kennedy performed a speech at Rice University, Houston. This event is important, because he proclaimed his support for the Apollo program. -
Landing on the Moon
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin rode in the Eagle to the Moon's Sea of Tranquility. This event was important, because Americans were the first on the moon. -
Apollo and Soyuz
The two spacecrafts, Apollo and Soyez, rendevous after the Soveits lost the race to the Moon. This event is important, because it ended the Space Race