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First satellite in space by USSR
The Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I. The world's first artificial satellite was about the size of a beach ball. -
First animal in space by USSR
The second-ever orbiting spacecraft carried the first animal into orbit, the dog Laika, launched aboard the Soviet Sputnik 2 spacecraft. -
First satellite in space by USA
The first successful U.S. satellite, Explorer I, was launched into Earth orbit by the Army. -
Creation of NASA
non-military space activity, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) -
JFK's speech and commitment to getting to the moon
JFK gives a speech in Houston about getting the first man on the moon.