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Launch of Sputnik 1
Sputnik 1
When the USSR launched Sputnik 1, the US was
compelled to research outer space on its own.
This special day marked the start of the space race
between the US and USSR, to see which country
could eventually put a human on the moon. -
Launch of Explorer 1
Explorer 1
The US launched its first successful satellite into
outer space. This piece of equipment made useful
scientific discoveries, and even made a full orbit
around the earth. America was finally catching up! -
NASA is formed
NASA formed
Bringing together existing space reasearch groups, NASA
was formed to further help space exploration by the US. -
Pioneer 1 is Launched
Launch of Pioneer 1Hoping to send their first spacecraft to the moon, NASA
launched Pioneer 1. Although unsuccessful, this piece
of equipment traveled a whopping 70,700 miles into space! -
Luna 1 is Launched
Launch of Luna 1
The Soviets luanched Luna 1 and successfully reached
the moon, but did not land the spacecraft on it. The US
has some catching up to do! -
Launch of Tiros 1
Tiros 1 is Launched
Launched by NASA as an experimental device, Tiros
1 was launched into outer space. NASA wanted to
see if weather satellites were useful in space. -
First Man in Space
First Man in Space
Yuri Gagarit, a Soviet, was officially the 1st man in space.
He was aboard the Vostok 1, and even made a full orbit
around earth. -
First American in Space
First American in SpaceAlan Shepard becomes the first American man in space.
The Soviets and Americans are now neck and neck in
the Space Race! -
President JFK Asks the US to go to Moon
JFK asks US to go to Moon
President John F. Kennedy dares the US to go on
a challenging adventure by the end of the decade.
He wanted the 1st man to go on the moon before
the start of the 70's. -
First Men on Moon
First Men on Moon
Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong become the first men to
walk on the moon, aboard Apollo 11! These American
men were the key to the US winning the Space Race!