The Space Race

Important events in the Space Race

Period: Sep 22, 1955 to Sep 22, 1970

USSR launches Sputnik

Oct 3, 1957

First ever artificial sattilite. Also sets off the Space Race.

First US rocket launch.

Jan 31, 1958

SHows that the US is really in the Space Race.

US launches Explorer II

Mar 5, 1958

Shows that the US is entering the space race too.

Luna I launched.

Jan 2, 1959

First Manmade object to orbit the Sun.

JFK elected.

Nov 8, 1960

He will get NASA to start the Apollo Missions.

Yuri Gagarin orbits the Earth once.

Apr 12, 1961

This shows that a man can survive in space.

John Glenn orbits the Earth 3 times.

Feb 20, 1962

This is the longest anyone had ever been is space up to this point.

Astronaut spends 34 hours in orbit.

May 15, 1963

This is many times longer than before.

Luna IX becomes first spacecraft to land on the Moon.

Feb 3, 1966

Proves that the Moon is solid.

3 astronauts are killed during Apollo 1 test flight.

Jan 27, 1967

THis shows the dangers of space travel.