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Space Race began
U.S. sped up their space program which led to the Apollo missions in the 1960's. http://www.history.com/topics/space-race -
Sputnik launched by USSR
1st artificial satillite put in space by the USSR. The U.S. feared the USSR had the technology to deliver a nuclear weapon via the R-7 rocket. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sputnik-launched -
Explorer 1 launch
Was the first U.S. satellite launched into space. http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/expinfo.html -
USA's Explorer 2 fails
On launch day, the fourth stage of the Jupiter-C rocket carrying the satellite failed to ignite, and the mission was scrubbed. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/explorer-2/ -
U.S. created NASA
There is a specific job to study space so the United States could improve in their astrophysics. http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/whyweexplore/Why_We_29.html -
Luna 1 is launched by USSR
Luna 1 was the first man made object to ever orbit the Sun. http://www.thespacerace.com/timeline/ -
Sputnik 5 launch
The booster exploded killing both dogs in the launch vehicle. Then at 28.5 seconds the launch vehicle exploded. This was caused by one of the strap-ons breaking off the launch vehicle. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1960-011A -
American orbits earth
John Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/bios/mercury_mission.html -
Surveyor 1 soft lands on the moon
First surveyor launched in the surveyor program, and the first soft landing on the Moon by the US. The mission was considered a complete success. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1966-045A -
Man walked on moon
As Armstrong walked on the moon he said "One small step for man... One giant leap for mankind." http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11.html
