-
Sputnik Launched into Space
The U.S. feared Russia had the technology to deliver a nuclear weapon via the rocket R-7. The U.S.S.R. landed the world's first artificial satellite. www.history.com/topics/space-race -
Sputnik 11 Launched into Space Carrying Laika
It was the first biological spacecraft containing Laika,the space dog. This proved that a living organism can survive in space. www.history.com/topics/space-race -
The U.S. Creates N.A.S.A
Congress passed legislation establishing N.A.S.A. It is a civilian agency responsible for coordinating America's activity or exploration of space. It has sponsored space expeditions, both human and mechanical, that have yielded vital information about the solar system and universe. www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nasa-created
www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nasa-created -
First Man Enters Space
Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarian is the first man to enter space. It delivered a huge blow to the U.S. In their space program competition against Russia. www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-man-in-space -
Kennedy Gives a Speech to Land a Man on the Moon
Kennedy makes a speech making a goal to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade. It brought the NASA program and the general U.S. population together for a unified goal. www.historyshotsinfoart.com/space/backstory.cfm -
First Woman Goes into Space
Ms. Tereshkova was the first woman to go into space. She proved that women are as capable as men in the space program. www.popsci.com/today-history-valentina-tereshkova-became-first-woman-space -
Luna 10 Orbits the Moon
Luna 10 was the first spacecraft to go into orbit around the moon. It was a precursor to astronauts orbital missions, and to study the lunar environment. nssdc.gsfc.gov/nmc/spacecraftdisplay.do?id=1966-027A -
Apollo 8 Orbits the Moon with a Man
The first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon. It was important because they were the first humans to orbit the moon and return safely. www.nasa.gov/topics/history/features/apollo_8.html -
First Moon Landing
The first humans land on the moon. The U.S. beats the U.S.S.R. To the moon in the space race. www.history.com/richard-cavendish/soviet-unoin-first-moon -
Luna 15 Crashes on the Moon
Luna 15 mission was to land on the moon and collect samples from the surface and return them via a small capsule. If it had worked it would have been the first robotic return of moon material. mentalfloss.com/article/54028/during-first-us-lunar-landing-soviets-crashed-on-moon