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Sputnik 1
The launching of Sputnik I by the Soviet Union began the "space war" with the United States. It was the first artifial satellite that was put in to the Earth's orbit. -
Explorer 1
Explorer 1 was the first Amercian satellite put into earth's orbit. It was launched after the Soviet's Sputnik 1 and 2. The satellite remained in orbit until 1970. -
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA was formed by the United States during the space race for more aeronautics and aerospace research. It controls all missions and launches to space. -
First man in space
Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space. He was sent by the Russians on the Vostok 1 space craft. -
First American in space
Soon after the russians sent a man in outer spaace, the United States sent Alan Shepard. He was on board a tiny mercury capsule by the name of Freedom 7. -
First woman in space
Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space sent by the Soviets on the Vostok 6 spacecraft. -
First space walk
Alexey Leonov was the first man out in actual space. This russian mission was done on Voskhod 2. He was outside the spacecraft for 12 minutes and 9 seconds. Leonov's space suit bcame infalted when he was trying to get back into the spacecraft. He was able to let some air out and barley make it back. -
First American space walk
Ed White was the first American to complete a spacewalk. He was sent on the mission Gemini 4. White was in space for 23 mintues. -
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 was the first flight that took men to the moon and was a project of the United States. This was a great achievement because the US had reached the moon before the Soviets. -
Apollo 8
Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon. It was a three man crew containing Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders. The mission took three days and took 10 orbits in 20 hours.
