The Space Race

By ussername1

  • Sputnik 1

    USSR launch first satellite into space, initiating the space race. (Beating the U.S to the punch).
  • Period: to

    Space Rivalries (The Race to the Moon)

  • Sputnik 2

    USSR launched their second satellite into space, carrying the first dog in orbit, Laika.

  • Explorer 1

    First American satellite in orbit, discovered the Van Allen radiation belt.

  • Explorer 2

    2nd Satellite launch by Americans, this attempt resulted in failure.

  • NASA Formation

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration formed.

  • Luna 1

    First man made satellite to orbit sun - USSR.

  • Mercury Seven

    First 7 Astronauts selected by NASA.

  • Luna 2

    USSR launch satellite Luna 2 which is the first satellite to impact the moon.

  • Luna 3

    Luna 3 satellite launched by USSR, sent to orbit to record data of moons surface. Retrieved approximately 70% of the moon's surface.

  • Tiros 1

    The first weather satellite launched.

  • John F. Kennedy Elected

    JFK elected 35th President of the U.S

  • Yuri Gargarin

    First man (cosmonaut) in space. He manned a 108 minute flight aboard Vostok 1.

  • Alan B. Shephard

    First American astronaut in space.

  • JFK Promise

    John F. Kennedy issues promise that America will land the first man on the moon before the end of the decade (1970).

  • Gemini Project Announced

    2nd manned space project announced by the U.S

  • Re-affirming Goals

    John F. Kennedy gives re-assuring speech at Rice University, affirming the importance of the Moon program.

  • Second Selection

    NASA selects the next 6 astronaut candidates for space missions.

  • Valentia Tereshkova

    Becomes first woman (cosmonaut) in space.

  • Group Three

    The next batch of astronauts are selected for upcoming missions (U.S).

  • Assassination of John F. Kennedy

    U.S in mourning over loss of charismatic and powerful leader, JFK. Causing some set-backs for getting man on the moon.

  • Ranger 7

    Transmits first, rare close images of the moon's surface.

  • Leonid Brezhnev

    Nikita Khrushchev is replaced as Premier by Leonid Brezhnev

  • Theodore Freeman Death

    Astronaut F. Theodore dies in plane crash.

  • Ed White

    Performs America's first spacewalk with the Gemini project.

  • Death of Sergei Korolev

    A huge blow to the soviet space program, Chief Designer Sergei Korolev contributed to a huge portion of developments of Russian spacecraft and the management of resources within the facility.

  • Luna 9

    First spacecraft to 'softland' on the moon.

  • Charles Bassett & Elliott See Death

    Astronauts B. Chalres and S. Elliott die in plane crash due to bad weather.

  • Luna 10

    First satellite to orbit the moon.

  • Gemini 12

    Last Gemini project issued by the U.S, crew: James Lowell & Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin.

  • Apollo 1 Tragedy

    Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffree are killed during a training mission when their cockpit caught on fire.

  • Vladimir Koramov Accident

    Cosmonaut K. Vladimir dies upon re-entry to Earth abroad Soyuz-1 when a parachute failure fails to deply. This led fear by design chief Vasily Mishin.

  • Edward Givens Accident

    Astronaut G. Edward Killed in an automobile accident.

  • Clifton Williams Accident

    Astronaut W. Clifton killed in a plane crash.

  • Yuri Gagarin Tragedy

    The first man and cosmonaut in space, died due to a plane crash. A huge blow to morale and delayed any further missions to the moon.

  • First Lunar Expedition

    Frank Borman, James Lowell & William Anders embark on the world's first manned journey around the moon. (Apollo 8).

  • Launch of Apollo 11

    Witnessed by thousands, the launch of Apollo 11 aired across the nation and world, roaring partriotic support for the capabilities of man-kind and the U.S. Lyndon B. Johnson was the first PM to bear wtiness to the launch of a rocket.

  • Moon Landing

    July 20, 1969 at 20:18 UTC, Apollo 11 touched down on the moon's surface. Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon's surface and said his historical quote "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."