Space Race
Both countries turned their focuses to space exploration and science. At first, their goals were small. They both wanted to be the first to launch a satellite into space. The Soviet Union achieved this goal first, by launching Sputnik 1 in 1957. This inspired the US to work faster and harder to catch up to the Soviet Union. To facilitate their advancements, the US created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, in 1958. Eventually, the first US satellite was launched in 1958, the Explorer 1.
Soon, their focuses changed from satellites to putting humans in space. Yuri Gagarin was the first human to achieve this goal in 1962. The first American in space was Alan Shepard, in 1961. The first American orbiter of the Earth was John Glenn in 1962. Then, the first woman, Valentina Tereshkova, went into space in 1964. In 1961, the Us president, John F. Kennedy, gave an infamous speech declaring that their new goal was putting a man on the moon. The Apollo 11 mission achieved this goal by landing on the moon. This ended the space race between the US and the Soviet Union.
Soon, their focuses changed from satellites to putting humans in space. Yuri Gagarin was the first human to achieve this goal in 1962. The first American in space was Alan Shepard, in 1961. The first American orbiter of the Earth was John Glenn in 1962. Then, the first woman, Valentina Tereshkova, went into space in 1964. In 1961, the Us president, John F. Kennedy, gave an infamous speech declaring that their new goal was putting a man on the moon. The Apollo 11 mission achieved this goal by landing on the moon. This ended the space race between the US and the Soviet Union.
Links to Timelines of the Space Race
http://www.thespacerace.com/timeline/
http://www.spacekids.co.uk/spacehistory/
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/space-race/all/interactive
http://www.spacekids.co.uk/spacehistory/
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/space-race/all/interactive