The History of the Space Race

Post WWII, Background

Jul 29, 1955

After the cold war, America and the Soviet Union developed a close eye for each other. In the long run, this tension led to the space race. On July 29, 2012, President Dwight Eisenhower anounced the commitment to launch a sattellite into space. In response, the Soviet Union did the same. http://www.nrojr.gov/teamrecon/res_his-ConsidRisk.html

The Space Race Begins

Oct 4, 1957

Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, in space. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/display.cfm?IM_ID=3263

First Animal

Nov 3, 1957

Soviet Union places, Laika, the first animal in space. http://cache.io9.com/assets/images/4/2009/10/laika.jpg

First American Satellite

Jan 31, 1958

A little behind the Soviet Union, America sent Explorer 1 into space which discovered the Van Allen radiation belt. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/explorer/explorer-overview.html

Origin of NASA

Oct 1, 1958

America, still trailing the Soviet Union, establishes the National Aeronautic Space Adminstration (NASA). http://nasa.icscomp.com/seals.htm

Solar Orbit

Jan 2, 1959

The Soviet union exceeds the U.S. again by launching the first man made object to orbit the sun, Luna 1. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/display.cfm?Category=Spacecraft&IM_ID=6486

Lunar Impact

Sep 12, 1959

The first man made object to impact the moon, Luna 2, is launched by the Soviet Union. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/display.cfm?IM_ID=1891

First Weather Satellite

Apr 1, 1960

America succeeds in launching the world's first successful weather sattellite, Tiros 1. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/tiros.htm

Kennedy Elected President

Aug 18, 1960

John F. Kennedy is elected president and takes on the space race. http://www.wickedlocal.com/falmouth/photos/x1684098565/PHOTO-GALLERY-New-JFK-exhibit-remembers-1960-election

First Man in Space

Apr 12, 1961

Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union is the first man ever to reach the final frontier. http://sciencythoughts.blogspot.com/2011/07/london-gets-statue-of-yuri-gagarin.html

American in Space

May 5, 1961

Alan B. Shephard, the first American to breach the skies,

National Challenge

May 25, 1961

Kennedy publicly announces to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade. http://www.space.com/11774-jfk-speech-moon-exploration-kennedy-congress-50years.html

Tragic Assassination

Oct 22, 1963

Beloved president John F, Kennedy is assassinated, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_funeral_of_John_F._Kennedy

A Taste of Victory

Jul 31, 1964

Ranger 7 transmits the first close range pictures of the moon, an American landmark. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/ranger.html

Soviet Achievement

Feb 3, 1966

The Soviet Union accomplishes yet another victory by launching the first space craft to softly land on the moon, Luna 9. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1966-006A

Soviet Achievement

Apr 3, 1966

Luna 10, the first sattelite to orbit the moon is credited to the Soviet Union. http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/display.cfm?IM_ID=3263

American Triumph

Jul 20, 1969

Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin become the first two humans to set foot on the Moon; consequently, the United States wins the Space Race over the Soviet Union. http://www.mahalo.com/answers/who-was-the-first-man-on-the-moon