Space Race
The Space Race
In the beginning of the 1950’s tensions were high between the Soviets and the U.S. The Cold War had become known worldwide as a nuclear arms race between two super powers. However, a new kind of race had begun between the two countries, The Space Race. This was a race to control the outer space surrounding Earth, which could ultimately act as a nuclear missile path. Controlling outer space with nuclear capabilities could mean massive destruction for the world as we know it. The two super powers were now fighting two races, each with their own importance.
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first satellite into space, The Sputnik I. This was detrimental to the U.S. because it meant that they were losing the space race. The Soviets showed the U.S. that they now had the capability to launch satellites and nuclear warheads into space. America quickly answered back with the launch of Explorer I, which was the first American made satellite to orbit around Earth. This achievement by the U.S. led Eisenhower to form the National Aeronautics and Space Admission (NASA). The organization was founded to study and build space exploration vehicles and scientific experiments. Soon after the formation of NASA, the Soviets launched the first man into the orbit of Earth, heating up the space race. Nearly a month later, NASA launched Alan Shepard into space, making him the second man to exit Earth’s atmosphere.
By the end of 1962, both countries had shown that they had the capabilities to reach outside of Earth’s atmosphere. However, the U.S. was still behind the Soviets in technological capabilities. John F. Kennedy, the president during the Space Race, promised America and the world that we would put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. This prediction was considered bold to many people considering that the U.S. only put a man into space just a year earlier. Following JFK’s announcement, NASA introduced the Apollo missions. These government
In the beginning of the 1950’s tensions were high between the Soviets and the U.S. The Cold War had become known worldwide as a nuclear arms race between two super powers. However, a new kind of race had begun between the two countries, The Space Race. This was a race to control the outer space surrounding Earth, which could ultimately act as a nuclear missile path. Controlling outer space with nuclear capabilities could mean massive destruction for the world as we know it. The two super powers were now fighting two races, each with their own importance.
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first satellite into space, The Sputnik I. This was detrimental to the U.S. because it meant that they were losing the space race. The Soviets showed the U.S. that they now had the capability to launch satellites and nuclear warheads into space. America quickly answered back with the launch of Explorer I, which was the first American made satellite to orbit around Earth. This achievement by the U.S. led Eisenhower to form the National Aeronautics and Space Admission (NASA). The organization was founded to study and build space exploration vehicles and scientific experiments. Soon after the formation of NASA, the Soviets launched the first man into the orbit of Earth, heating up the space race. Nearly a month later, NASA launched Alan Shepard into space, making him the second man to exit Earth’s atmosphere.
By the end of 1962, both countries had shown that they had the capabilities to reach outside of Earth’s atmosphere. However, the U.S. was still behind the Soviets in technological capabilities. John F. Kennedy, the president during the Space Race, promised America and the world that we would put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. This prediction was considered bold to many people considering that the U.S. only put a man into space just a year earlier. Following JFK’s announcement, NASA introduced the Apollo missions. These government